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CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
National report card praises P.E.I. for housing policy, while pointing out some low points
A nationwide report card by the Missing Middle Initiative gives P.E.I. some favourable reviews for its overall approach to housing policy, while flagging some areas where the Island needs to do better — including banning new homes in flood-prone areas. CBC's Cody MacKay spoke to the group's founding director to learn more.
National Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- National Observer
Provinces 'hold the key' to building more homes, new report argues
While the federal government and cities across Canada are making strides on expanding the housing supply, the provinces still need to get serious about building quality homes, a new report released Thursday argues. No province earned a grade higher than C+ in the report assembled by the Task Force for Housing and Climate, a non-governmental body that was struck in 2023 with backing from the philanthropic Clean Economy Fund. The task force's "report card" evaluated governments based on their policies for building homes quickly and sustainably. It gave the federal government the highest grade in the country — a B — while Alberta ranked at the bottom of the pile with a D+. The rest of the provinces' scores were in the C range. Mike Moffatt, the report's author and founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative at the University of Ottawa, suggested that the provinces have thus far avoided "scrutiny" for their role in perpetuating the housing crisis, while Ottawa and the cities have taken the heat for red tape and high costs. "Provinces really hold the key here. They have the most policy levers and, in many cases, they've actually done the least," he said. The task force is co-chaired by former Edmonton mayor Don Iveson and former deputy leader of the federal Conservatives Lisa Raitt. Prime Minister Mark Carney was one of the group's members before becoming federal Liberal leader. 'Currently, no government is doing enough to get these homes built," said Raitt in a statement accompanying the report. The task force compiled its report card based on its evaluations of government policies to encourage factory-built housing, fill in market gaps, boost density, map high-risk areas and update building codes. The report found plenty of variability even within provinces, said He said both Saskatchewan and Ontario are doing well on building away from high-risk areas but are falling short on increasing density. The report gave British Columbia, Quebec and Prince Edward Island a score of C+ — the highest score received by any province. Moffat said BC's grade suffered because while it encourages density "on paper," its slow permit approvals and high building costs frustrate development. While Alberta is doing well on the pace of housing starts alone, he said, that's mostly due to leadership at the municipal level in Calgary and Edmonton — not provincial policy. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in the provincial legislature in November that the government was "not standing in the way of the private sector to build more affordable housing." She said increasing housing supply would "automatically" bring down costs for Albertans. Moffatt said Smith's stance is "correct" — lowering barriers to development is critical to expanding the supply of affordable housing — but that's "only part of the story." He said Alberta has to take "responsibility" for the housing demand it induces through its successful marketing campaign to lure Ontarians to the province. Moffatt said the province also has to make sure homes are built sustainably and not in the path of wildfires, and can't abdicate its responsibility for filling gaps in social housing. "We need both. We need a strong, robust private sector to deliver housing, but we also need government to come in and fill in the gaps," he said. Moffatt said the provinces are falling behind on mapping flood plains and need to take responsibility for provincial legislation that leads to higher development charges. He noted that the report card was based only on implemented policies and did not capture the impact of proposed legislation such as Ontario's Bill 17, which is meant to speed up permits and approvals, simplify development charges and fast-track infrastructure projects. The report said the federal government's housing accelerator fund, which encourages municipalities to simplify zoning rules to get more shovels in the ground, has made progress but needs enforcement tools to keep cities accountable after they strike funding deals with Ottawa. Moffatt said he hopes to use the report card framework to track progress on housing goals in the future, and to work on separate research to evaluate municipalities' housing policies.
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Affordable housing report card gives Alberta 'D+' grade, lowest in Canada
A new report reviewing efforts to address affordable housing has given Alberta the lowest grade among Canadian provinces. Alberta gets an overall D+ on the Report Card on More and Better Housing for failing to adopt better building codes, encourage factory-built housing and regulate construction in flood-prone areas, said author Mike Moffatt. The Task Force for Housing and Climate, a group dedicated to tackling housing and climate concerns across Canada, created the criteria last year and commissioned the report released Thursday. Quebec, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island scored the highest among the provinces with a C+, while the federal government got a B. "Alberta needs to build more social housing but there's also a lot of red tape in home building in Alberta that comes from the provincial government that could be addressed," Moffatt said during a news conference Wednesday. "It's also a lack of leadership from the provincial government when it comes to building code reform, when it comes to climate risk." The federal government earned the highest overall grade for federal tax incentives for rental construction, leasing federal land for housing and motivating municipal zoning reforms, the report says. Moffatt, also the founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative at the University of Ottawa, assessed and graded each province and the federal government in five categories. Lisa Raitt, former deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada is a co-chair of the Task Force for Housing and Climate. "Canada needs more homes, and they must be homes that meet the needs of today — affordable, climate aligned, and resilient to floods, wildfires and extreme heat," Raitt said in a news release. "Currently, no government is doing enough to get these homes built." Five criteria The report card focuses on five categories: Legalize density: allowing fourplexes and small apartments. Alberta scored a C- with the federal government got the highest grade of B. Improve building codes: allowing a variety of housing forms with higher energy efficiency, and things like single-stair-case apartments. Alberta got a D, while British Columbia scored an A. Accelerate factory-built housing: moving toward a manufacturing industry that can use better materials at lower cost. Alberta got a D- while the federal government received an A. Avoid building in high-risk area s: hazard maps and avoid areas prone to extreme weather events. Alberta got the lowest score of D, along with B.C., while Ontario and Saskatchewan got the highest grade of A. Fill in market gaps: finding ways to build more affordable, below market-rate housing. Alberta was again in the middle of the pack with a C, with the highest grade of A going to P.E.I. Former Edmonton mayor Don Iveson co-chairs the task force with Raitt. "Particularly in a number of the provinces and particularly when it comes to the climate outcomes there, there are huge gaps that have to be addressed," Iveson said. While Alberta ended up with an overall D+, Moffatt praises Edmonton and Calgary for their efforts. "There are a lot of great things happening in Alberta. Housing starts are quite high. We have a lot of fantastic reforms at the municipal level in both Edmonton and Calgary, but they don't have much to do with the provincial government." The cities have made a number of moves to improve zoning and increase density, Moffatt added. Edmonton was the first city in Canada to develop an automated approvals process using artificial intelligence, reducing permit processes from six weeks to six hours, Moffatt said. Moffatt said he hopes to do another report next year to highlight progress made among provinces. "Partly this is an accountability exercise, but we also want to highlight things that provinces are doing well with the hope that they could be adopted in other provinces," Moffatt said.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Provinces ‘hold the key' to unlocking homebuilding, new report argues
OTTAWA - While the federal government and cities across Canada are making strides on expanding the housing supply, the provinces still need to get serious about building quality homes, a new report released Thursday argues. No province earned a grade higher than C+ in the report assembled by the Task Force for Housing and Climate, a non-governmental body that was struck in 2023 with backing from the philanthropic Clean Economy Fund. The task force's 'report card' evaluated governments based on their policies for building homes quickly and sustainably. It gave the federal government the highest grade in the country — a B — while Alberta ranked at the bottom of the pile with a D+. The rest of the provinces' scores were in the C range. Mike Moffatt, the report's author and founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative at the University of Ottawa, suggested that the provinces have thus far avoided 'scrutiny' for their role in perpetuating the housing crisis, while Ottawa and the cities have taken the heat for red tape and high costs. 'Provinces really hold the key here. They have the most policy levers and, in many cases, they've actually done the least,' he said. The task force is co-chaired by former Edmonton mayor Don Iveson and former deputy leader of the federal Conservatives Lisa Raitt. Prime Minister Mark Carney was one of the group's members before becoming federal Liberal leader. 'Currently, no government is doing enough to get these homes built,' said Raitt in a statement accompanying the report. The task force compiled its report card based on its evaluations of government policies to encourage factory-built housing, fill in market gaps, boost density, map high-risk areas and update building codes. The report found plenty of variability even within provinces, said He said both Saskatchewan and Ontario are doing well on building away from high-risk areas but are falling short on increasing density. The report gave British Columbia, Quebec and Prince Edward Island a score of C+ — the highest score received by any province. Moffat said B.C.'s grade suffered because while it encourages density 'on paper,' its slow permit approvals and high building costs frustrate development. While Alberta is doing well on the pace of housing starts alone, he said, that's mostly due to leadership at the municipal level in Calgary and Edmonton — not provincial policy. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in the provincial legislature in November that the government was 'not standing in the way of the private sector to build more affordable housing.' She said increasing housing supply would 'automatically' bring down costs for Albertans. Moffatt said Smith's stance is 'correct' — lowering barriers to development is critical to expanding the supply of affordable housing — but that's 'only part of the story.' He said Alberta has to take 'responsibility' for the housing demand it induces through its successful marketing campaign to lure Ontarians to the province. Moffatt said the province also has to make sure homes are built sustainably and not in the path of wildfires, and can't abdicate its responsibility for filling gaps in social housing. 'We need both. We need a strong, robust private sector to deliver housing, but we also need government to come in and fill in the gaps,' he said. Moffatt said the provinces are falling behind on mapping flood plains and need to take responsibility for provincial legislation that leads to higher development charges. He noted that the report card was based only on implemented policies and did not capture the impact of proposed legislation such as Ontario's Bill 17, which is meant to speed up permits and approvals, simplify development charges and fast-track infrastructure projects. The report said the federal government's housing accelerator fund, which encourages municipalities to simplify zoning rules to get more shovels in the ground, has made progress but needs enforcement tools to keep cities accountable after they strike funding deals with Ottawa. Moffatt said he hopes to use the report card framework to track progress on housing goals in the future, and to work on separate research to evaluate municipalities' housing policies. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025.
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Provinces 'hold the key' to unlocking homebuilding, new report argues
Published May 29, 2025 • 3 minute read New single family houses billed as estate cottages and townhouses under construction are seen in an aerial view, in Delta, B.C., on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. Photo by Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — While the federal government and cities across Canada are making strides on expanding the housing supply, the provinces still need to get serious about building quality homes, a new report released Thursday argues. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account No province earned a grade higher than C+ in the report assembled by the Task Force for Housing and Climate, a non-governmental body that was struck in 2023 with backing from the philanthropic Clean Economy Fund. The task force's 'report card' evaluated governments based on their policies for building homes quickly and sustainably. It gave the federal government the highest grade in the country — a B — while Alberta ranked at the bottom of the pile with a D+. The rest of the provinces' scores were in the C range. Mike Moffatt, the report's author and founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative at the University of Ottawa, suggested that the provinces have thus far avoided 'scrutiny' for their role in perpetuating the housing crisis, while Ottawa and the cities have taken the heat for red tape and high costs. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Provinces really hold the key here. They have the most policy levers and, in many cases, they've actually done the least,' he said. The task force is co-chaired by former Edmonton mayor Don Iveson and former deputy leader of the federal Conservatives Lisa Raitt. Prime Minister Mark Carney was one of the group's members before becoming federal Liberal leader. 'Currently, no government is doing enough to get these homes built,' said Raitt in a statement accompanying the report. The task force compiled its report card based on its evaluations of government policies to encourage factory-built housing, fill in market gaps, boost density, map high-risk areas and update building codes. The report found plenty of variability even within provinces, said He said both Saskatchewan and Ontario are doing well on building away from high-risk areas but are falling short on increasing density. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The report gave British Columbia, Quebec and Prince Edward Island a score of C+ — the highest score received by any province. Moffat said B.C.'s grade suffered because while it encourages density 'on paper,' its slow permit approvals and high building costs frustrate development. While Alberta is doing well on the pace of housing starts alone, he said, that's mostly due to leadership at the municipal level in Calgary and Edmonton — not provincial policy. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in the provincial legislature in November that the government was 'not standing in the way of the private sector to build more affordable housing.' She said increasing housing supply would 'automatically' bring down costs for Albertans. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Moffatt said Smith's stance is 'correct' — lowering barriers to development is critical to expanding the supply of affordable housing — but that's 'only part of the story.' He said Alberta has to take 'responsibility' for the housing demand it induces through its successful marketing campaign to lure Ontarians to the province. Moffatt said the province also has to make sure homes are built sustainably and not in the path of wildfires, and can't abdicate its responsibility for filling gaps in social housing. 'We need both. We need a strong, robust private sector to deliver housing, but we also need government to come in and fill in the gaps,' he said. Moffatt said the provinces are falling behind on mapping flood plains and need to take responsibility for provincial legislation that leads to higher development charges. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He noted that the report card was based only on implemented policies and did not capture the impact of proposed legislation such as Ontario's Bill 17, which is meant to speed up permits and approvals, simplify development charges and fast-track infrastructure projects. The report said the federal government's housing accelerator fund, which encourages municipalities to simplify zoning rules to get more shovels in the ground, has made progress but needs enforcement tools to keep cities accountable after they strike funding deals with Ottawa. Moffatt said he hopes to use the report card framework to track progress on housing goals in the future, and to work on separate research to evaluate municipalities' housing policies. Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Tennis Columnists
