Rising Costs Pushing Middle Class out of Housing Market: NDP

Rising housing prices and funding cuts are hurting average Canadians says Davies

OTTAWA – Soon the dream of buying a house will be out of reach for middle class Canadians as prices continue to soar. That’s why New Democrats are calling on the Harper government to take action.

“Despite the fact that the average cost of a house is rapidly rising in Canada’s cities, the Harper government plans to cut funding to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation and affordable housing programs by $1.2 billion,” said New Democratic Housing Critic Libby Davies (MP, Vancouver East).

The average cost of a two-storey home in Halifax rose 9.7% in the last year. According to Royal Lepage, housing prices in cities across Canada are also rapidly increasing, well above last year’s inflation rate:

• Vancouver 9.8%
• Regina at 9.1%
• Montreal at 8.7%
• St. John’s at 9.6%.

“The Harper government has done nothing but drag its feet on the housing file,” said Megan Leslie, MP for Halifax and New Democrat health critic. “Poor housing conditions and lack of access to affordable housing are clearly linked to poor health outcomes. Addressing affordable, secure housing in Canada will help alleviate the burden on our health system.”

The Halifax MP understands the urgency for such action and seconded Libby Davies’ National Housing Strategy Bill (C-304), which is currently in its final stages; the closest Canada has ever been to a national housing strategy.

However, Leslie noted that “the Conservative government is the only party that doesn’t support this bill, and seems to have no interest in ensuring that Canadians have access to affordable, secure housing.”