2022 Provincial Election Spotlights Housing Affordability as Key Issue For Ontarians

Latest Abacus Data research report shows Ontarians want the next provincial government to tackle the housing affordability crisis

TORONTO – Ontarians want to own homes: it’s part of the Canadian Dream. But because of the housing affordability crisis, that dream is on life support and Ontarians want to see it prioritized by all political parties in the upcoming provincial election.

As Ontario voters begin heading to the advanced polls, housing affordability remains a top priority for all provincial political parties. A recent poll conducted by Abacus Data on behalf of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) shows that 73% of Ontarians agree that making housing more affordable should be a priority for the Ontario government, with 84% saying that a party’s ideas on solving the housing affordability crisis could be an important factor when deciding who to vote for on June 2.

“Ontario’s REALTORS^® put real solutions to the housing affordability crisis on the table and we’re pleased to see that all four political parties have listened, offering robust housing platforms that include a number of OREA’s ideas,” said OREA CEO Tim Hudak. “Whether they are millennials struggling to enter the market, growing families looking for more space, or downsizing empty nesters, it’s clear that Ontarians want action: and they intend to vote for the party that best prioritizes choice and affordability.”

Ontario REALTORS^® want to keep the dream of home ownership alive, but that will only happen if the provincial government makes it easier for first-time buyers to own a home, through increasing housing supply, eliminating outdated zoning rules that have been historically anti-housing, and leveling the playing field by doubling the tax break for first time buyers.

Here’s how each of the four major political parties in Ontario stack up compared to OREA’s 2022 Election Housing Platform: A Home for Everyone.

“Whether they are supporting the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, or the Green Party, it’s clear that housing is at the forefront of many Ontarians’ voting intentions,” said Hudak. “Through our Members’ advocacy efforts, we’ve highlighted good ideas to help more people become homeowners and what may stand in the way. It’s now up to voters to decide.”

Earlier this month, through well-researched and proven innovative solutions, OREA put forward bold solutions to save the Canadian Dream of home ownership in Ontario. For more information and to view OREA’s 2022 Election Housing Platform, visit www.AHomeForEveryone.info.

For a more in-depth look at each political parties housing platforms and how they will affect the housing market in Ontario, please download our backgrounder here.