The federal government has added 56 properties to a public lands bank for long-term leases aimed at building affordable housing. This step, part of a broader effort to tackle Canada’s housing crisis, includes former military bases in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Ottawa, as well as a site in Montreal. Fraser expects construction on the first five properties to start by mid-2025.
Conservatives criticized the plan, with housing critics labeling it a repeat of unfulfilled Liberal promises dating back to 2015.
Housing will dominate discussions at the government’s three-day cabinet retreat, alongside other pressing issues like immigration and economic policy. Former Liberal strategist Marci Surkes stressed the need to focus on supply, noting that affordability remains a significant challenge. Canada plans to build 3.87 million new housing units by 2031 to address the demand created by rapid immigration and high interest rates.
The retreat will also address Canada-U.S. relations, industrial strategies, and labour disputes, including a recent railway lockout that disrupted freight and commuter services. Labour leaders, including those from Teamsters, plan to protest the government's decision to mandate arbitration.
Fraser emphasized that making public lands available for development will cut construction costs and improve affordability. The properties will primarily be leased to ensure long-term affordability, with more sites expected to be added following reviews of underutilized federal lands.