Scheer announces four-point plan to make home ownership more affordable

CONSERVATIVE Leader Andrew Scheer on Monday announced that a new Conservative government would introduce four new measures to make it easier for first-time homebuyers to buy a home.

“With his poor judgement and tax hikes, [Liberal Leader] Justin Trudeau has put the dream of home ownership further out of reach for so many, especially young Canadians,” Scheer said. “As Prime Minister, I will fix his bad policies and work to get more homes on the market to lower the price of housing.”

As Prime Minister, Scheer said he will:

1. Fix the mortgage stress test to ensure that first-time homebuyers aren’t unnecessarily prevented from accessing mortgages and work with OSFI to remove the stress test from mortgage renewals to give homeowners more options.
2. Increase amortization periods on insured mortgages to 30 years for first-time homebuyers to lower monthly payments.
3. Launch an inquiry into money laundering in the real estate sector and work with our industry partners to root out corrupt practices that inflate housing prices.
4. Make surplus federal real estate available for development to increase the supply of housing.

Canada’s Conservatives say they know the government has an important role to play to put home ownership within reach for more Canadians. When you work hard, save, and invest in your future, the government should help you – not stand in your way.

Quick Facts:

• New data shows the country’s youngest buyers are affected most by the Trudeau Liberals’ stress test.
• Justin Trudeau’s latest homebuyer “incentive” has so many terms and conditions that most first-time homebuyers don’t qualify. What’s more, it only targets select cities.
• Right now, more than 80 per cent of middle-income families are paying $800 more in taxes a year than they did in 2015. The cost of housing continues to skyrocket, and the carbon tax means that everyday necessities like gas, groceries and heating your home keep getting more and more expensive. It’s harder than ever before to save for a down payment or monthly bills.
• Trudeau has proven that he can’t be trusted to help Canadians get ahead. If he’s given four more years, his carbon tax will cost Canadians hundreds of dollars a year. Life is expensive enough for Canadian families without Trudeau costing them even more.

Scheer’s plan:

• Scrap the Trudeau Carbon Tax, lowering the cost of everyday essentials like gas, groceries, and home heating.
• Introduce the Universal Tax Cut, saving an average couple $850.
• Take the GST off home heating costs, saving your family $107 every year.
• Introduce the Green Public Transit Tax Credit, saving a family of four who take transit up to $1,000.
• Make maternity benefits tax-free, putting up to $4,000 back in the pockets of new parents.
• Introduce the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, allowing parents to claim up to $1,000 for sports activities.
• Introduce the Children’s Arts and Learning Tax Credit, letting parents claim up to $500 for arts and learning programs.
• Expand the Age Credit, benefiting the lowest-income Canadians the most and giving a senior couple up to $300.
• Boosting the government’s matching RESP contributions by 50 per cent, helping parents get more for their kids education. For some, that could be $540 more.