Overview of the Statement
On September 9, 2025, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a press conference in Brampton, Ontario, where he urged the newly re-elected Liberal minority government under Prime Minister Mark Carney to adopt key Conservative election pledges aimed at addressing Canada’s ongoing housing crisis. Poilievre framed the housing market as entering a “new phase” with falling prices in some cities, blaming Liberal policies for exacerbating the shortage and inviting the government to “steal our best ideas” to kick-start construction. This call comes as Parliament resumes on September 15, 2025, with Poilievre returning to the House of Commons for the first time since the April 2025 federal election. The proposal is positioned as a bipartisan olive branch, with Poilievre expressing willingness to support the minority government on these measures.
Background on Canada’s Housing Crisis
Canada’s housing market has been strained by high prices, low affordability, and insufficient supply, particularly in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver. A recent Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) report highlighted stagnant housing starts in the country’s seven largest cities, with Toronto on track for its lowest annual starts in 30 years and a 60% drop in new condominium construction in the first half of 2025. The Liberals, during their April 2025 election campaign, pledged to more than double housing starts and establish a new agency, Build Canada Homes, to promote affordable housing. However, Poilievre criticized the government for failing to act on these promises, noting that a Liberal bill to eliminate the federal sales tax (GST) on first-time homebuyers for homes up to $1 million—introduced in May 2025—remains unpassed. This context underscores Poilievre’s push for immediate, targeted reforms to incentivize building and reduce costs.
Key Conservative Pledges Poilievre Wants Enacted
Poilievre reiterated and slightly adjusted several core Conservative housing proposals from the election campaign, emphasizing tax relief and streamlined regulations to boost supply. Here’s a breakdown:
| Pledge | Description | Rationale (per Poilievre) |
|---|---|---|
| Eliminate 5% Federal Sales Tax (GST) on Homes Under $1.3 Million | Remove GST on all home purchases (not just first-time buyers) for properties valued at $1.3 million or less. This expands on the Liberals’ $1 million first-time buyer rebate. | Would make homes more affordable for a broader range of buyers, stimulating demand and encouraging construction without adding to inflation. Poilievre called it a direct way to “kick-start a housing boom.” |
| Eliminate Capital Gains Tax on Reinvested Homebuilding Profits | Waive capital gains taxes for developers or investors who reinvest proceeds from asset sales into new residential construction. | Incentivizes private sector investment in housing supply, freeing up capital that is currently taxed and discouraging building. |
| Incentivize Municipalities to Speed Up Permits and Cut Development Charges | Provide federal incentives (e.g., funding or tax breaks) to cities that reduce approval times for building permits and lower developer fees. | Targets bureaucratic delays, which Poilievre blames for slowing construction; aims to align local governments with national housing goals. |
Poilievre highlighted that these measures are “Trump-proof,” meaning they focus on domestic homebuilding to shield the economy from potential U.S. policy changes under a possible second Trump administration, which could impact trade or immigration-driven demand.
Political Context and Reactions
This outreach occurs in the wake of the Liberals forming a minority government after the April 2025 election, requiring support from opposition parties like the Conservatives to pass legislation. Poilievre’s offer positions the Conservatives as pragmatic collaborators on a non-partisan issue, while simultaneously critiquing Liberal inaction—such as the unfulfilled promise to double housing starts. Conservative Housing Critic Scott Aitchison echoed this, attributing the supply shortfall to “the cost of government” rather than market forces.
On X (formerly Twitter), reactions have been mixed but limited in volume as of September 14, 2025. News outlets like CP24 and BIV News shared articles, garnering modest engagement (e.g., 23 likes on CP24’s post). Some users expressed skepticism about the proposals’ details, with one questioning if they go beyond “slogans” to involve real businesses. Others highlighted media bias in coverage, urging neutral terminology like “Leader of the Opposition” for Poilievre. Broader discussions on X tie this to ongoing affordability debates, with calls for analysis of the pledges’ feasibility.
No official Liberal response was detailed in reports as of September 14, but the government’s pending GST rebate bill could serve as a starting point for negotiation. Critics, including some economists, argue that tax cuts alone may not suffice without addressing zoning laws or immigration levels, which drive demand.
Potential Impacts and Next Steps
If enacted, these pledges could reduce homebuying costs by thousands (e.g., up to $65,000 in GST savings on a $1.3 million home) and spur an estimated increase in housing starts, per Conservative projections. However, implementation would require parliamentary approval, potentially facing resistance over revenue losses (estimated at billions federally). Poilievre plans to raise these issues when Parliament resumes on September 15, 2025.
This development aligns with broader Canadian efforts to tackle housing shortages, including provincial initiatives. For the latest updates, monitor official sources like the CMHC or parliamentary proceedings. If you’d like me to search for Liberal responses, economic analyses, or related X discussions, let me know!