As Canada heads into a heated federal election, one issue is dominating the headlines: housing affordability. A recent poll shows that for Canadians under 45, the cost of housing is right at the top of their priority list—surpassing even our relationship with the U.S.

The countdown to Canada’s federal election is on—and housing is the defining issue. For younger Canadians especially, affordability isn’t just a topic of interest—it’s the number one reason they’ll vote the way they do.

But here’s what most headlines won’t tell you: this political spotlight creates a golden opportunity for buyers right now—before a post-election wave floods back into the market.

🔴 Liberals (Mark Carney)

• Build Canada Homes: A new federal agency to build 500,000 homes per year
  
• GST removed on new homes under $1M (for first-time buyers only)
  
• Cut development charges in half on multi-unit builds
  
• $25B+ in financing for prefab and affordable housing builds
  
• Keep funding the Housing Accelerator Fund to reduce red tape for builders

🔵 Conservatives (Pierre Poilievre)

• Remove GST on new homes under $1.3M (applies to all buyers)
  
• Sell off 6,000 federal buildings + thousands of acres of land for new housing
  
• Force cities to increase builds by 15% yearly, or lose funding
  
• Reimburse up to $50K per home when cities reduce development charges

🟠 NDP (Jagmeet Singh)

• Build 3 million homes in 5 years
  
• Double the Accelerator Fund and make it permanent
  
• Ban foreign buyers permanently, crack down on home flipping
  
• Use all surplus federal land for affordable housing only
  
• Expand rent protections and block “renovictions”

All of these promises sound great on paper—but here’s the truth: very few of these policies will have an immediate impact on pricing.

Experts agree: housing supply is a slow game. It takes years for new construction to reach the market—and developers don’t always build just because they’re allowed to.

But what’s already happening is a noticeable slowdown in buyer competition. While the country debates what’s next, many would-be buyers are sitting out, waiting for clarity. That gives you a serious edge.

💡 The Buyer Advantage Right Now: Here’s what you have going for you today:

✅ Less competition — fewer bidding wars, more negotiating room

✅ Softened prices in parts of the GTA

✅ Potential rate cuts still to come, with borrowing expected to get cheaper

✅ Government incentives incoming, but prices could rebound by the time they roll out

As history has shown, once election results settle and programs begin, pent-up demand floods back in—and prices often follow.

We’re in a rare pause in the housing market—before policies hit, before rates drop, and before sidelined buyers come rushing back. That’s when you move.

At Skill Realty, we’re here to help first-time buyers navigate this complex market with clarity and confidence. Whether it’s understanding what you can afford, what programs you qualify for, or how to make your first offer—we’ve got your back.

Ready to make a move while you still have the upper hand?