Housing remains one of the most pressing issues in Ontario as the upcoming provincial election approaches. With affordability concerns at an all-time high, each political party has outlined its plans to tackle the housing crisis. From increasing supply to improving rent control, here's a breakdown of their proposals and what they mean for Ontarians.
Progressive Conservative Party
The Progressive Conservatives, currently in power, emphasize increasing housing supply by cutting red tape and expediting construction approvals. Their Housing Supply Action Plan aims to build 1.5 million new homes over the next decade. Additionally, they propose HST rebates for rental housing and eliminating HST on purpose-built rentals to encourage development. Municipalities are also being urged to reconsider development charges to make housing projects more feasible.
Ontario Liberal Party
The Liberals focus on affordability, proposing to eliminate the provincial land transfer tax for first-time buyers, seniors downsizing, and non-profit home builders, potentially saving homebuyers an average of $13,500. They also plan to scrap development charges on middle-class housing and replace them with a Better Communities Fund to ensure sustainable municipal growth. Additionally, they propose phased-in rent control and faster resolution times for landlord-tenant disputes.
Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP)
The NDP prioritizes tenant protections, advocating for real rent control by closing loopholes that exempt units built after 2018. They propose ending above-guideline rent increases, cracking down on illegal evictions, and legalizing fourplexes and mid-rise apartments along transit corridors. Their housing strategy also includes building and acquiring 300,000 permanently affordable rental units within co-op and non-profit housing programs.
Ontario Green Party
The Greens propose a First-Time Home Buyer’s Plan that removes fees and taxes on new starter homes built within urban boundaries. They also support fourplex and sixplex construction as-of-right across Ontario to increase density and supply. Their housing strategy includes removing development charges on homes under 2,000 square feet and creating an Affordable Communities Fund to cover municipal infrastructure costs related to new housing.
The Ontario Real Estate Association’s Report Card
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has assessed each party’s housing policies based on key priorities like housing supply, affordability, and tenant protections. The report highlights support for increasing density, improving landlord-tenant processes, and reducing development costs to accelerate homebuilding. While all parties acknowledge the urgency of the housing crisis, their approaches vary significantly in terms of execution and funding.
What This Means for Ontarians
As voters prepare for the election on February 27, 2025, housing remains a key issue shaping the future of the province. Whether it’s supply-driven solutions, affordability measures, or tenant protections, each party offers a different vision for tackling the crisis. Understanding these plans can help Ontarians make informed decisions about which policies best align with their housing needs.
Progressive Conservative Party
The Progressive Conservatives, currently in power, emphasize increasing housing supply by cutting red tape and expediting construction approvals. Their Housing Supply Action Plan aims to build 1.5 million new homes over the next decade. Additionally, they propose HST rebates for rental housing and eliminating HST on purpose-built rentals to encourage development. Municipalities are also being urged to reconsider development charges to make housing projects more feasible.
Ontario Liberal Party
The Liberals focus on affordability, proposing to eliminate the provincial land transfer tax for first-time buyers, seniors downsizing, and non-profit home builders, potentially saving homebuyers an average of $13,500. They also plan to scrap development charges on middle-class housing and replace them with a Better Communities Fund to ensure sustainable municipal growth. Additionally, they propose phased-in rent control and faster resolution times for landlord-tenant disputes.
Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP)
The NDP prioritizes tenant protections, advocating for real rent control by closing loopholes that exempt units built after 2018. They propose ending above-guideline rent increases, cracking down on illegal evictions, and legalizing fourplexes and mid-rise apartments along transit corridors. Their housing strategy also includes building and acquiring 300,000 permanently affordable rental units within co-op and non-profit housing programs.
Ontario Green Party
The Greens propose a First-Time Home Buyer’s Plan that removes fees and taxes on new starter homes built within urban boundaries. They also support fourplex and sixplex construction as-of-right across Ontario to increase density and supply. Their housing strategy includes removing development charges on homes under 2,000 square feet and creating an Affordable Communities Fund to cover municipal infrastructure costs related to new housing.
The Ontario Real Estate Association’s Report Card
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has assessed each party’s housing policies based on key priorities like housing supply, affordability, and tenant protections. The report highlights support for increasing density, improving landlord-tenant processes, and reducing development costs to accelerate homebuilding. While all parties acknowledge the urgency of the housing crisis, their approaches vary significantly in terms of execution and funding.
What This Means for Ontarians
As voters prepare for the election on February 27, 2025, housing remains a key issue shaping the future of the province. Whether it’s supply-driven solutions, affordability measures, or tenant protections, each party offers a different vision for tackling the crisis. Understanding these plans can help Ontarians make informed decisions about which policies best align with their housing needs.
