The Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has dismissed concerns about the federal government’s ambitious housing building program, stating that it is not unrealistic or unsafe. Speaking in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, on April 23, Ms. Freeland addressed questions about the government’s plan to build 10,000 homes in Newfoundland and Labrador per year, despite the province’s home builders association reporting that only 3,300 homes were built in their best year of construction.
Alexis Foster, the executive director of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association in the province, highlighted the significant gap between the current construction rates and the government’s targets. Despite this, Ms. Freeland emphasized the importance of increasing housing supply and pushing for more ambitious housing initiatives.
She acknowledged that the plan was more ambitious than anything seen before but expressed confidence in the collaboration between all levels of government and the private sector to accelerate home building. Ms. Freeland stressed the need for continuous progress and faster action to address the housing shortage.
Regarding safety concerns raised about the rapid increase in housing construction, Ms. Freeland assured that builders, municipalities, and building inspectors prioritize the health and safety of Canadians and do not compromise on safety standards.
As part of the 2024 budget, the federal government aims to invest billions of dollars in expanding the Canadian housing supply. However, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has highlighted the challenges related to labor shortages in the construction sector. With more workers retiring than entering the industry, the sector faces difficulties in replacing skilled workers.
It is projected that 22 percent of residential construction workers will retire in the next decade, coinciding with the government’s goal of increasing the number of homes built to at least 3.87 million by 2031.
