The idea that Ottawa can double housing construction is utopian. Prices have skyrocketed because of rapid population growth. We need to cut that

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

From 1980 to 2022, Canada’s population increased 1.1 per cent a year on average. Then in 2023 and 2024, it rose 2.9 and 3.0 per cent, respectively — almost three times that rate. Not surprisingly, this sudden and dramatic increase exceeded the economy’s capacity to supply the housing needed by the added residents, 93 per cent of whom were immigrants.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

To deal with the resulting spike in house prices, Ottawa has created a new agency —