Over the last decade the cost of renting, buying a house as well as our grocery bills have dramatically increased. What does the government need to do to reverse this trend?
Courtenay-Alberni
Gord Johns, NDP
Everyone deserve a safe, affordable place to call home - and indigenous people have been hardest hit by cuts to federal infrastructure and housing funding. More publicly funded housing needs to be built off-reserve for First Nations people who relocate to Port Alberni, Nanaimo and Victoria for school, work or to be closer to medical services. The NDP forced the government to make the largest investment in on-reserve housing during the last Parliament. But, its not enough and we aren’t done yet. Funding for housing for seniors and young families is especially required without further delay.
Chris Markevich, Green Party
The Green Party has a plan to address housing affordability as well as tax fairness and the cost of living. We'll use covenants to make sure housing built with public money stays affordable, and close loopholes to stop criminals from using real estate to hide dirty money. We'll also eliminate the unfair tax advantages for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), and stop corporations from buying up single family homes. We will also implement support for local food systems to reduce grocery prices, as well as reduce regulatory barriers for small-scale processors to ensure local producers have access to food processing without corporate gatekeeping.
Brian Cameron, Liberal
A Mark Carney-led government will continue implementing the Liberal plan to provide more than $25 billion in financing Canadian builders of pre-fabricated homes and a further $10 billion in low-cost financing and capital to builders of affordable homes. This should be good news for our First Nations in this Riding as well - as your Member of Parliament, I will work hard to help find ways for indigenous communities here on Vancouver Island to participate in this new program from a Liberal government. As a renter with a young family of my own, I particularly want to see rent costs and grocery bills reduced.
Kris McNichol, Conservative
Out-of-control spending and high taxes have driven up the cost of everything. A Conservative government will rein in inflationary deficits, cut the carbon tax, and build more homes by removing gatekeeping barriers—getting shovels in the ground faster and making life more affordable.
Cowichan-Malaht-Langford
Alistair MacGregor, NDP
People in our communities are really struggling with the cost-of-living at a time when corporations have enjoyed record profits.
The NDP plans to address the cost of living with a permanent GST cut and price cap on essentials; legislation to crack down on price gouging, surging, fixing, and shrinkflation; and with fairer taxation on excess profits. It is time for big corporations to pay their fair share.
We are also committed to banning corporate landlords from buying affordable housing, fast-tracking and expanding the federal Rental Protection Fund, and helping community-led organizations keep housing affordable.
Kathleen Code, Green Party
The Green Party of Canada has policies to address both the lack of housing and rising grocery bills.
Housing is not a privilege but a basic right. Until a few years ago, housing was relatively affordable, when it was discovered that big corporations were buying up housing stock and making huge profits. The Greens will build millions of affordable houses across Canada, covenanting them so they cannot be
sold on the open market, but remain public and affordable. Elimination of taxes on incomes $40,000 and under, along with a Guaranteed Basic Income will provide immediate relief for Canadians.
North Island-Powell River
Tanille Johnston, NDP
We know costs are too high in our riding, we need our government to level the playing field. Stop given tax breaks to billionaires and enforce equitable taxation.
As your NDP MP, I will push to:
· STOP giving handouts to big corporations
· REMOVE GST from your cell phone bill and home heating
· CAP costs on essential grocery items to keep your necessities affordable
We need everyone to have a warm, safe and consistent place to call home – because housing is a right. The New Democrats have a plan to create at least 500,000 units of quality, affordable housing in the next ten years, with half completed in the first five years.
As for the rental market, we’re committed to banning corporate landlords and investing in below market housing to open up affordable rentals and make home ownership a reality for the working class.
As your MP, I will advocate to end subsidies and tax breaks to big corporations, and CEOs to put more money in your pocket. We need to cap prices on grocery essentials. It’s time for people to get ahead and stop lining the pockets of billionaires.
Jessica Wegg, Green Party
We need to stop letting private corporations use our food and housing needs – basic human rights! - to make absurd profits for their executives. For housing, Greens will eliminate unfair tax advantages for Real Estate Investment Trusts and stop corporations from buying up single family homes and treating them like stocks to be traded, artificially driving up prices. We will invest in and build more government housing and use covenants to make sure they stay affordable (by which, we mean no more than 30% of a family’s income). For groceries, we will invest more in local infrastructure and community programs.
Jennifer Lash, Liberal
A government led by Mark Carney will double housing construction over the next decade, targeting 4 million new homes. We’ll unlock private investment, foster innovation in construction, expand skilled trades training, and cut red tape to accelerate development. To support first-time home buyers, we’ll eliminate the GST on homes under $1 million. We’ll also champion energy-efficient housing to reduce utility costs. In our community, we’ll partner with Indigenous peoples to improve housing availability, safety, and affordability. We’ll support small and non-profit builders, expand co-op and community housing. This comprehensive strategy will boost supply and create vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods where no one is left behind.
