26.59°C Vancouver

Sep 26, 2023 6:53 PM - The Canadian Press

Govt to provide $20 billion more for construction of rental houses: Freeland

Share On
govt-to-provide-20-billion-more-for-construction-of-rental-houses-freeland
The limit is being increased to $60 billion, which the federal government says will increase rental construction by 30,000 units annually.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the federal government is unlocking another $20 billion in low-cost financing for the construction of rental housing across Canada.

The federal government had an annual limit of $40 billion on its Canada Mortgage Bonds program, which raises funds for residential mortgage financing.

The limit is being increased to $60 billion, which the federal government says will increase rental construction by 30,000 units annually.

Freeland is making the announcement this afternoon alongside other cabinet ministers, including Housing Minister Sean Fraser.

The Liberals also introduced legislation last week to eliminate GST charges on rental developments as Ottawa ramps up efforts to increase the housing supply.

Experts say the shortage of purpose-built rentals is the most acute and is eroding housing affordability across the country.

Latest news

BCJul 22, 2026

New Anderson Creek wildfire prompts evacuation order near Hells Gate in B.C.'s Fraser Canyon

A new wildfire south of Boston Bar in British Columbia's Fraser Canyon has prompted evacuation orders for the Hells Gate area as crews respond to growing wildfire activity. According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Anderson Creek wildfire was discovered Tuesday and has grown to about 1,000 hectares. Officials said the fire has now been added to the Brunswick Wildfire Complex, which includes two other active wildfires in the region. The Fraser Valley Regional District issued evacuation orders Tuesday evening for Boston Bar, the Boston Bar First Nation, North Bend and Canyon Alpine, citing an im
BCJul 22, 2026

B.C.-wide Amber Alert issued for missing four-year-old boy from West Kelowna

West Kelowna RCMP have issued a province-wide Amber Alert for four-year-old Ryan Atlas Andrews, who police say was allegedly taken by his 40-year-old mother, Alisse Andrews. According to RCMP, Ryan was last seen at about 11:20 a.m. Tuesday in the Ridge Boulevard area of West Kelowna. Investigators believe Alisse Andrews left the area with the child in a black Nissan Qashqai bearing British Columbia licence plate RV003L. Police are asking the public not to approach the vehicle or the individuals if they are seen. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately so o
alberta-signs-interprovincial-agreement-to-expand-direct-alcohol-sales-across-canada
AlbertaJul 22, 2026

Alberta signs interprovincial agreement to expand direct alcohol sales across Canada

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province has signed an agreement aimed at removing barriers to interprovincial alcohol sales, a move intended to allow Canadian producers to sell directly to customers in participating provinces. According to the Alberta government, the agreement commits participating jurisdictions to update their regulations to permit direct-to-consumer alcohol sales across provincial boundaries. The province says the changes are expected to create new market opportunities for Alberta's wine, beer and spirits producers. Smith said Alberta has reached the agreement with
carney-advisory-committee-meets-to-discuss-u-s-tariffs-and-canadas-trade-response
CanadaJul 22, 2026

Carney advisory committee meets to discuss U.S. tariffs and Canada’s trade response

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Advisory Council on Canada–United States Relations met Tuesday evening to discuss Canada's response to the United States' decision to impose new tariffs on Canadian goods. The meeting, chaired by Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, included Canada's chief trade negotiator with the United States, Janice Charette, Ambassador to the United States Mark Wiseman, and other council members. According to the federal government, discussions focused on the potential impact of the tariffs on key Canadian industries and measures to protect Canada's economic inter
proposed-50-trump-tariffs-on-canadian-exports-could-face-court-challenge-experts-say
CanadaJul 22, 2026

Proposed 50% Trump Tariffs on Canadian Exports Could Face Court Challenge, Experts Say

U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed 50 per cent tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian exports could face legal challenges, although trade law experts say the administration's legal position appears stronger than in previous cases. According to reports, the White House is relying on Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose the new duties. The provision authorizes the U.S. president to impose tariffs if another country's trade policies are deemed discriminatory toward the United States. Legal experts say the provision has not previously been used in this manner. The Wh

Related News