Category Archives: Real Estate

N.S. tenants say existing law too weak to protect from rent hikes, mistreatment

HALIFAX — When word came last November that Nova Scotia's Liberal government had imposed rent control during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarah DeWolfe was hopeful her worries over rising housing costs would be put on hold. It was a hope that didn't

Nova Scotia’s premier noncommittal on $25-million investment in affordable housing

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin is holding off for now on approving $25 million a commission has called for to quickly address some affordable housing needs. Rankin said after a cabinet meeting on Thursday that he wants to make

Rent control provision quietly softened by N.S. Liberals two days after announcement

HALIFAX — Two days after Nova Scotia's Liberals announced temporary rent caps in response to evictions and fast-rising rents amid the pandemic, they quietly decreased how broadly the controls applied. On Nov. 25, Chuck Porter, who was at the time minis...

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promises cities help to lower high cost of housing

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised municipal leaders federal backing and resources toward efforts to address the high cost of housing that he says is creating a crisis for young and middle-class families. The cost of housing has risen

N.S. needs funding boost for low-cost housing in ‘perfect storm’ of shortages: report

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia needs to swiftly invest $25 million to help up to 900 households find reasonably priced accommodation, according to a report released Monday.  The 61-page document prepared by the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission came in ...

Pandemic’s uneven effects make 2030 goal of attainable housing harder, CMHC head says

OTTAWA — The new CEO and president of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says she believes achieving the organization's goal of facilitating attainable housing for all Canadians by 2030 will be more difficult because of the pandemic. Romy Bowers tol...

NDP promises foreign buyers’ tax, half a million new homes to cool housing market

OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is pledging a hefty foreign home buyers' tax and "massive" investment in housing to chill a boiling-hot real estate market. Unveiled today at a virtual news conference, Singh's election campaign-style promise would imp...

Montreal politicians debate whether to allow skyscrapers higher than Mount Royal

Montreal's Mount Royal looms both literally and figuratively above its namesake city, with the illuminated cross on its summit visible across much of the island and beyond. That visibility is by design: the city's master plan states that building heigh...

Experts, advocates say federal budget is hit-and-miss on housing

OTTAWA — Experts and advocates say countrywide government measures aimed at putting housing within reach of more Canadians mark a step in the right direction, despite a few misses and ham-fisted moves. Monday's federal budget promises $2.4 billion over...

B.C. puts $2B toward low-interest loans for builders of affordable housing

VICTORIA — The B.C. government is investing $2 billion in a low-interest loan program for builders of affordable housing.  Housing Minister David Eby said Thursday the financing will be offered to private developers and community groups through the pro...