There is cautious optimism in Calgary that housing affordability has become a key issue in the federal election. Read More
Mark Carney’s Liberals and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives have both unveiled plans to address Canada’s housing crisis
Mark Carney’s Liberals and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives have both unveiled plans to address Canada’s housing crisis
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Calgary industry stakeholders are cautiously optimistic that housing affordability has become a key issue in the federal election.
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However, Mayor Jyoti Gondek said a lot more spotlight needs to be put on Calgary by those running to become Canada’s next prime minister.
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Mark Carney’s Liberals and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives have both unveiled plans to address Canada’s housing crisis, each with differing approaches in some areas.
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“They need to be speaking with us to understand what our needs are, and housing alone is not going to solve a problem,” said Gondek on Thursday.
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With more than 250 people moving to Calgary per day, Gondek argued the city needs infrastructure investments as well.
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“If you don’t have the ability to pay for the roads, the water and wastewater pipes, that housing alone is not going to fix the situation,” she said.
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Looking at the “rhetoric” from both parties so far, the Liberals are providing a more detailed look into what they think they’re going to do, according to Calgary Construction Association president and CEO Bill Black.
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“There’s a lot more meat . . . there’s a lot more detail,” said Black on Thursday. “The conservative plan is a little more sketchy, it’s lacking detail.”
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However, he argues both plans are far from comprehensive.
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“It still isn’t addressing infrastructure, it still isn’t addressing workforce,” said Black.
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Brian Hahn, the CEO of BILD Calgary Region, a non-profit focused on home building and land development, called the plans “high-level” strategies.
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“What our industry members are pleased about is to see the focus on housing and its importance in a national election,” Hahn told Postmedia on Thursday.
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What Gondek hopes for from the federal government is an understanding that Calgary is a partner at the table.
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“We are best able to tell you what we have been doing,” said Gondek, noting things like using city-owned land, per-door incentives and working to maximize grants as things the city has offered within its housing strategy.
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“We are a really good resource for the federal government. They just need to come and talk to us,” she said.
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Tax cut on new builds key to both federal plans
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Both plans call for sales tax cuts on homes, but each takes a different approach.
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The Liberal plan would eliminate GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes under $1 million, saving buyers up to $50,000.
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It would also cut municipal development charges in half for multi-unit residential housing, “while working with provinces and territories to keep municipalities whole.”