Housing and Canada’s 2025 Federal Election

APRIL 4, ONTARIO - As Canada heads toward the 2025 federal election, communities across Simcoe County, Perth, Wellington, Parry Sound, Muskoka, Guelph, and Huron-Perth are sounding the alarm on a crisis that continues to hit close to home—literally. The housing shortage in our regions isn’t just a local issue. It’s a national economic emergency.

While headlines focus on inflation, global trade instability, and fears of a looming recession, one thing is clear: no economic strategy can succeed without solving Canada’s housing crisis. If people can’t afford to live where they work, the economy can’t grow. And if young families can’t put down roots in the communities they love, the long-term vitality of those places are at risk.

At the OnePoint Association of REALTORS®, we believe the 2025 federal election must be a turning point. We’re calling on every federal party to make housing a cornerstone of their economic platform—not just as a social issue, but as an essential pillar of economic growth.

From rural towns to mid-sized cities, our communities are being stretched by rapid population growth and a lack of housing options. The result? Fewer workers, strained services, and stalled investment. In places already feeling the effects of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty, this housing pressure is only intensifying.

We’re urging all political parties to take bold, targeted action by committing to three key priorities:

1. Reduce Taxes and Fees on Housing

Government-imposed taxes, fees, and levies add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of every new home—costs that are passed directly onto homebuyers. In many of our regions, that’s the difference between a family being able to buy a home or not. Canada needs a fairer, smarter approach to housing taxation—one that doesn’t punish buyers for trying to build a life in the communities they serve. We’re also calling for dedicated infrastructure funding to support rural and small-town growth, so new development doesn’t come with an unfair financial burden.

2. Speed Up Planning and Approvals

We’ve seen the potential of programs like the Housing Accelerator Fund—but too often, municipalities accepted the funding without following through on the housing-friendly policies they promised. It’s time for more accountability. Long delays in zoning and approvals are standing in the way of urgently needed housing. The next federal government must lead the way in removing red tape and fast-tracking the homes Canadians need.

3. Champion Innovation in Housing Construction

Modular building, factory-built homes, and digital permitting systems are already proving effective in regions facing labour shortages and aging infrastructure. With the right support, these innovations can help get more homes built, faster—and more affordably. We’re calling on all parties to invest in housing innovation as a key part of Canada’s future.

The Bottom Line? Housing Drives the Economy.

Housing isn't just a matter of affordability—it’s a matter of economic opportunity. The 2025 federal election is a critical moment for every party to move beyond promises and toward action.

REALTORS® across OnePoint are ready to help build stronger, more sustainable communities. We’re urging federal leaders to step up with serious, sustained housing reform—because when we build homes, we build prosperity.