Federal budget omits Liberal pledge to double housing construction

OTTAWA — The Carney government’s 2026 federal budget has dropped explicit references to the Liberal Party’s commitment to double Canada’s homebuilding rate, raising questions about the future of one of its central housing affordability promises.

The commitment, introduced during the 2025 federal election campaign, was repeatedly presented as a key component of the government’s strategy to address the country’s housing shortage.

However, the latest budget shifts its emphasis toward tripling the construction of non-market housing, with a target of 24,000 new starts annually over the next decade.

Non-market housing generally includes affordable developments supported by governments, housing co-operatives, non-profit organizations and public agencies.

Housing Minister Gregor Robertson’s office maintains that Ottawa remains committed to doubling overall homebuilding, despite the absence of that target from the budget.

Conservative housing critic Scott Aitchison has accused the Liberals of retreating from their original commitment and replacing it with a narrower construction objective.

The change comes as housing affordability remains a major concern for Canadians, particularly younger households facing high purchase prices and rental costs.

The government argues that its revised approach will expand affordable housing while encouraging provinces, municipalities and private developers to accelerate construction.