Across Canada, urban centers are grappling with escalating housing prices that are pushing renters and potential homebuyers out. Janet Robertson, for instance, was forced to leave her Vancouver apartment after two decades due to skyrocketing rent. With initial listings still unaffordable, she relocated to Chilliwack, a small community about 60 miles east.
Once viewed as undesirable due to its rural nature, Chilliwack is now attracting many from Vancouver seeking affordable housing. Following a national trend, Canada’s urban areas—including Toronto—are witnessing a dramatic rise in home prices, with single-family homes in Toronto averaging around 1.4 million Canadian dollars (approximately $1 million), a price that nearly doubled from 2020.
As voters prepare for the upcoming elections on April 28, the housing crisis remains a focal concern, affecting the decisions of many Canadians. The affordability issue has reached a point where buying a home feels like a distant dream for many, particularly first-time buyers, exacerbating the ongoing plight for affordable and accessible housing across Canada.
