Liberal leadership contender makes fresh campaign promise aims to ease housing pressures
Mark Carney, the frontrunner in the race to lead the Liberal Party and succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister, has pledged a temporary cap on immigration to balance population growth with housing availability and job creation.
The former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor said this week it was essential to synchronize immigration levels with the nation’s capacity to provide adequate housing and employment opportunities. This approach, he argued, will ensure sustainable growth and prevent undue strain on public services.
In addition to his immigration policy, Carney has committed to doubling the pace of new housing construction over the next decade. To further alleviate housing affordability issues, he proposes eliminating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time homebuyers purchasing homes valued under $1 million—a policy that mirrors a promise made by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
Carney’s platform also includes increased government investment in sectors poised to stimulate economic growth and generate quality employment. These sectors encompass housing, clean energy, and the development of new trade routes aimed at reducing Canada’s economic reliance on the United States.
As the leadership race intensifies, Carney has become a focal point of criticism from the Conservative Party, which has launched attack ads targeting his policies and leadership capabilities. Despite these challenges, Carney remains the frontrunner, with recent opinion polls indicating that the Liberal Party is narrowing the gap with the Conservatives.
The Liberal leadership candidates are scheduled to engage in a French-language debate on Monday, followed by an English-language debate on Tuesday. These debates represent critical opportunities for candidates to articulate their visions and sway party members ahead of the leadership vote. The new leader, set to be announced on March 9, will succeed Justin Trudeau as both the Liberal leader and prime minister, with a general election anticipated shortly thereafter.
Carney’s policy announcements come at a time when Canada is navigating complex economic relationships, particularly with the United States, AP News noted. Recent developments include proposed tariffs by president Donald Trump, which have significant implications for Canada’s economy and trade dynamics.
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