A significant majority of Canadians believe the federal government made the right decision in banning foreign purchases of residential properties, according to a new survey by Research Co. Conducted among a representative national sample, the poll found that 76% of Canadians support the ban, while only 13% oppose it and 11% remain undecided. The measure, which remains in effect until January 1, 2027, includes exceptions for international students and temporary residents.
The survey revealed widespread approval across political lines. Strong majorities of Canadians who voted Conservative (82%), Liberal (78%), or New Democrat (78%) in the 2021 federal election back the restrictions. Support is also high among different ethnic groups, including those of South Asian descent (87%), Indigenous backgrounds (84%), European heritage (77%), and East Asian communities (74%).
Housing affordability remains a pressing concern, with 59% of Canadians saying immigration levels should be directly tied to affordable housing targets and new housing developments. Support for this idea is particularly strong in British Columbia (63%) and among those who voted Liberal in 2021 (66%). When it comes to assigning responsibility for affordable housing, Canadians are almost evenly split: 42% believe it falls on the federal government, 41% on provincial governments, and 17% on municipal authorities. Age played a role in these views, with older Canadians leaning more towards provincial responsibility, while younger and middle-aged respondents favored federal leadership.
The survey also explored Canadians’ opinions on various housing policy solutions. A large majority support initiatives such as eliminating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on home sales up to $1.3 million (64%), creating a federally funded developer to build low-cost housing on government land (70%), and establishing a catalogue of pre-approved home designs to streamline construction (also 70%). However, trust remains an issue: only 33% of Canadians have confidence in for-profit developers to deliver affordable housing, compared to higher levels of trust for provincial governments (50%), municipal governments (52%), and not-for-profit developers (58%).
When asked about political leadership on housing, 51% of Canadians trust the Liberal government to deliver results, while 42% express similar confidence in the Conservatives. Among younger voters aged 18 to 34, trust is nearly evenly split, with a slight edge given to the Conservatives (51%) over the Liberals (49%). Conversely, older Canadians aged 55 and above show more faith in the Liberals’ ability to address the housing crisis. As the federal election approaches, housing affordability is likely to remain a crucial issue influencing voter sentiment across the country.
