Canada's Housing Policies Fuel Affordability Crisis

The Demographia International Housing Affordability Index, authored by Frontier Senior Fellow Wendell Cox, finds Vancouver and Toronto among the world’s least affordable housing markets, while Edmonton remains comparatively affordable despite similar economic conditions.

Analysts attribute the disparity to decades of government decisions that limit developable land and add extensive planning requirements, environmental reviews, development charges and permitting delays. These policies have slowed construction, raised prices and left many young Canadians—who have completed education and saved responsibly—questioning whether they will ever be able to own a home.