NDP leader unveils new proposals to tackle housing crisis as federal election looms
New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh has said a government led by his party would make foreign homebuyer restrictions permanent and close loopholes to exclude numbered companies and corporate proxies from the housing market.
Speaking as Canada’s April 28 federal election ticks nearer, Singh – whose party trails Mark Carney’s Liberals and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives in polling – also said he would tax profits from homes sold within five years, unless they are primary residences, to deter speculative flipping.
Recreational properties like cottages would be exempt from the tightened loopholes, Singh said. The proposals come with housing remaining a central issue on the campaign trail even though the trade war launched in recent months by US president Donald Trump continues to dominate headlines.
Both Carney and Poilievre, who most analysts believe are the two most realistic contenders to form the next government, have unveiled measures to improve the housing outlook for Canadians including GST reductions on first-time property purchases and cutting red tape associated with homebuilding.
Singh expressed confidence Tuesday that he will retain his Burnaby Central seat, even as new polling suggests the party faces significant headwinds in British Columbia, a province that previously housed nearly half of the NDP caucus.
“I’m confident that I’ll be able to serve the people of Burnaby Central, and I’m also confident people in this country need New Democrats,” Singh told reporters at a Vancouver press conference.
When the campaign began, nearly half of the NDP caucus hailed from B.C. But according to polling aggregator 338 Canada, the party is currently projected to win just one seat in the province — Vancouver East, held by Jenny Kwan.
A recent Leger poll conducted for The Canadian Press from April 4 to 6 showed the NDP trailing significantly in BC, with 11% of committed voter support. The Liberals led with 45%, while the Conservatives followed at 37%.
Party highlights past policy wins
Despite the polling, Singh emphasized the NDP’s accomplishments through its former supply and confidence agreement with the federal Liberals, highlighting gains such as dental-care and pharmacare programs.
“If you want us to stay in there fighting for you and your family, you’ve got to vote for us,” Singh said.
Singh’s campaign stop included time on the picket line with striking LifeLabs workers in Vancouver. The group, part of the BC General Employees Union, has been on strike for eight weeks. Mandy De Fields, a union representative, said wages remain a key issue.
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