Today we speak with the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Member of Parliament for York South-Weston, and Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion. Minister Hussen speaks about the national housing strategy, how racial gaps affect economic gaps, and how the housing market remains affected by immigration. Minister Hussen explains to host Pamela Ritchie that while 68% of Canadians own a home, housing still needs to be built for everyone, including those experiencing homelessness. Canada’s National Housing Strategy, launched in 2017, aims to get people off the street and into permanent housing. He also cites programs like the first-time homebuyer incentive and tax-free savings account, as additional ways home ownership can be supported. Disparities in homeownership, Minister Hussen says, are even more pronounced among Indigenous and black Canadians. He describes some of the steps being taken to address the gap, which includes the recent allocation of $4 billion to invest in housing on reserves through the Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. Speaking about how the housing market is affected by immigration, Minister Hussen says that Canada is at an advantage because of a strong immigration system that remains effective in attracting skilled workers for housing construction. The $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund aims to double housing construction in Canada over the next 10 years.

Recorded on May 17, 2023.

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