Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the Canadian dream of buying a first home is “alive and well,” despite current high interest rates.
“Last week I announced that there are now more than 500,000 tax-free first home savings accounts; that’s really important because what that shows is the dream of buying your first home is alive and well, and Canadians are investing in that dream,” Ms. Freeland said Jan. 22 during a press conference at a federal cabinet retreat in Montreal.
Reporting on the main topics of conversations at the retreat, which was aimed at supporting the middle class, Ms. Freeland mentioned the apartment loan construction program, which she said is on track toward getting 100,000 more apartments built. The government’s Housing Accelerator Fund, which is meant to spur the creation of housing supply, will “deliver 300,000 new homes,” she said.
Responding to a reporter, Ms. Freeland acknowledged the “challenge” that high interest rates pose as a key determinant of housing affordability.
The study suggests that government spending is responsible for approximately 2 percent of the 4.75 percent rise in interest rates experienced in Canada over recent years. The Bank of Canada’s interest rate is currently set at 5 percent.
“I think all Canadians also recognize the challenge that high interest rates are posing as inflation comes down, that is something that we want to support,” Ms. Freeland said.
She noted the inflation rate has come down from a high of 8.1 percent in June 2022 to 3.4 percent this past December, and that the Bank of Canada’s interest rate increase played a hand in it.
“Our government has been and is committed to supporting the Bank of Canada in the work of ensuring that inflation can come down so that interest rates can come down as well,” she said.
“Because we do recognize, as does every single Canadian, that high interest rates are a … challenge for a home builder looking to build more homes … They’re a challenge for a young Canadian looking to buy a first home.”
Inflation rose, according to Ms. Freeland, because of the shutdown of the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She added it was unsurprising that Canadians are “exhausted” and have “economic whiplash.”
