The Canadian housing crisis has sparked heated debates for years. Affordability continues to feel out of reach for many young people and families trying to enter the market. So, when Housing Minister Sean Fraser recently said that “unaffordable homes” are part of the solution—not the problem—it raised a lot of eyebrows.
But let’s take a moment to unpack what he meant.
In a recent statement covered by MSN, Fraser suggested that the answer to our housing shortage isn’t just building cheap homes—it’s building more homes, period. That includes rentals, condos, luxury builds, and yes, even homes that aren’t considered “affordable” by government standards. His message? Supply matters more than price tags at this stage.
Here’s why that argument might make sense.
Right now, we simply don’t have enough homes in Canada. Not just affordable ones—any homes. When demand outpaces supply, prices go up across the board. By encouraging all types of development, even higher-end properties, we can relieve some of the pressure on the market. Wealthier buyers may opt for those newer, more expensive homes, leaving more modestly priced properties available for others. It’s a bit like unclogging a traffic jam by opening up more lanes.
That doesn’t mean we should ignore affordability. But the strategy Fraser is proposing focuses on the long-term fix: increasing housing supply overall. When there are more options on the market, competition eases and prices start to stabilize.
Whether or not you agree with Fraser’s comments, this moment reminds us of something critical—Canada’s housing crisis is a complex puzzle. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But if we can stay open-minded and focus on building more homes for everyone, we might just start to see the change we’re all hoping for.
Source: National Post
