As changes to Residential Tenancies Act draw near, Yukoners react

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Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-30 17:51:39.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Affordability, Governance]

Yukon Party MLAs voted to pass statutory amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, effectively eliminating territorial rent caps and reintroducing no-cause evictions effective December 1. The legislative changes, spearheaded by Community Services Minister Cory Bellmore and supported by Premier Currie Dixon, aim to transition the territory to a market-based rental system and encourage housing investment. The Yukon Residential Landlord Association estimated that landlords have withdrawn more than 200 rental units from the market since rent controls were implemented in 2021, while opposition parties and housing advocates criticized the measures for lacking supporting data and negatively impacting tenant housing security.

MLAs call on N.W.T. gov't to offer more support for residents facing high fuel costs

This article is new today!

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-30 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Affordability, Energy, Governance]

The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a motion on Thursday, developed by the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight, urging the territorial government to increase home heating subsidies and expand financial incentives for converting to energy-efficient alternative heating appliances. Driven by a global spike in heating oil prices following the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, regular MLAs criticized current programs as insufficient given that roughly half of Northwest Territories households rely on diesel as their primary heat source. Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek noted the timing aligns with the upcoming territorial budget cycle and acknowledged gaps in existing wood pellet conversion and senior heating subsidy programs, while pointing out that public housing and income assistance clients already receive full heating coverage. The territorial government now has 120 days to formally respond to the motion.

Dawson City, Yukon, leaders urge territory to retract no-cause eviction bill

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 19:12:01.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Affordability, Governance]

The Yukon Legislative Assembly passed Bill 8, enacting amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act that reintroduce no-cause evictions and scrap rent control. In response, Dawson City Mayor Stephen Johnson, the Dawson City Council, and former territorial NDP candidate Francis van Kessel sent letters urging Premier Currie Dixon and Minister of Community Services Cory Bellmore to retract the legislation due to severe rental scarcity and potential strains on community social services.

Minister Pardy Introduces Legislation to Reduce Gas Tax to Zero

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-29 18:55:16.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Taxation, Affordability, Finance, Energy]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through Minister of Finance Craig Pardy, introduced legislation to reduce the provincial tax on gasoline and diesel to 0 cents per litre. This policy removes the existing provincial taxes of 7.5 cents per litre for gasoline and 9.5 cents per litre for diesel, resulting in total savings at the pump—including Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)—of 8.625 cents per litre for gasoline vehicles and 10.925 cents per litre for diesel vehicles. Furthermore, the legislative amendments establish a safeguard mechanism to maintain the provincial fuel tax at zero as long as oil prices stay above a specified threshold, forming part of the provincial government's broader $275 million cost-of-living relief initiative.

Minister Pardy Introduces Legislation to Reduce Gas Tax to Zero

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-29 18:55:16.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Taxation, Finance, Affordability, Energy]

On October 29, 2026, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Finance Craig Pardy introduced legislation to reduce the provincial tax on gasoline and diesel to 0 cents per litre, down from 7.5 cents and 9.5 cents respectively. Factoring in the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), drivers will save 8.625 cents per litre on gasoline and 10.925 cents per litre on diesel amidst record high fuel prices. The legislative amendments also establish a protective mechanism to keep provincial fuel taxes at zero for as long as oil prices remain above a specified threshold. This measure is part of the Provincial Government's broader Budget 2026 initiative, which has invested over $275 million in cost-of-living relief.

Canada Dental Care Plan working but costing more than expected: auditor general

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 14:50:35.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Affordability, Finance, Social Services]

A report by Auditor General Karen Hogan found that Health Canada's Canadian Dental Care Plan exceeded its initial budget commitments by $1.1 billion during the 2024–25 and 2025–26 fiscal years, with an anticipated further shortfall of $2.4 billion by 2032 due to higher-than-anticipated claim payments per member. While the program successfully reduced average household out-of-pocket dental expenses from $536 in 2023 to $264 for users, the audit revealed persistent public confusion, with 560,000 members (16 per cent of those accessing services in 2025) receiving full coverage, while dental providers spent roughly an hour a day addressing coverage ambiguities and call centres struggled to meet quality metrics. In response, Health Canada engaged the Office of the Chief Actuary to provide quarterly actuarial forecasts to improve claim payment projections and financial planning.

Yukon gov't not swayed by petition to demand investigation into power utilities' billing practices

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 01:44:22.0
Tags: [National, Energy, Affordability, Governance]

Yukon Energy Minister Ted Laking has declined an opposition petition urging the government to use Section 18 of the Public Utilities Act to order the Yukon Utilities Board to investigate ATCO Electric Yukon and the Yukon Energy Corporation over billing discrepancies. The petition, signed by 1,101 people and tabled by NDP justice critic Carmen Gustafson, called for an independent probe into billing practices between July 2025 and July 2026 following months of customer complaints related to a 2023 billing system transition. Instead of a regulator-led investigation funded by taxpayers, the territorial government previously directed ATCO Electric Yukon to hire its own independent third-party auditor to investigate the billing issues.

S-253 (45-1) - Making Child Care More Affordable for Canadian Families Act

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-29 00:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Taxation, Affordability, Social Services, Governance]

Bill S-253, titled the Making Child Care More Affordable for Canadian Families Act, was introduced and read for the first time in the Senate on October 29, 2026. The Senate Public Bill proposes to amend the Income Tax Act specifically regarding the child care expense deduction indexation. The legislation is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate during the 1st session of the 45th Parliament.

Yukon gov't passes amendments to Residential Tenancies Act, scrapping rent control

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-28 21:04:27.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Affordability, Governance]

The Yukon government passed legislative amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, effectively scrapping the territorial residential rent cap and permitting no-cause evictions. Backed by Yukon Party MLAs and spearheaded by Community Services Minister Cory Bellmore, the changes are scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2026. While the territorial government asserts that removing rent control will incentivize private-sector rental housing investment and increase long-term supply, housing advocates and opposition politicians have criticized the policy for exacerbating cost-of-living pressures for tenants.

Bank of Canada raises key interest rate to 2.5% in its first hike since 2023

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-28 12:33:56.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Finance, Trade, Affordability]

The Bank of Canada, led by Governor Tiff Macklem, raised its benchmark overnight interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.5 per cent, marking its first rate hike since 2023. The central bank stated that the increase is necessary to curb persistent inflation—projected to remain above 3 per cent through much of 2027—which is driven largely by surging energy prices from the Middle East conflict and rising trade tensions with the United States. Policymakers warned that further rate hikes could occur depending on future economic uncertainties and cost pressures.

Provincial Government Cutting Gas Tax on Gasoline and Diesel to Zero Beginning December 1

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-26 14:15:53.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Taxation, Affordability, Energy, Finance]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through Minister of Finance Craig Pardy, announced that the provincial gas tax on gasoline and diesel will be reduced to zero cents per litre from December 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The Provincial Government will introduce legislative amendments in the House of Assembly to enact these changes and establish a permanent mechanism to keep the provincial fuel tax at zero whenever fuel prices exceed a specified threshold. This measure represents $25 million in affordability relief, contributing to a broader $79 million cost-of-living package that also includes the accelerated Churchill Falls Electricity Rebate and a doubled Home Heating Supplement.

Manitoba judge strikes claims against North West Company in proposed class action over grocery subsidy money

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-24 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Affordability, Justice]

A Manitoba Court of King's Bench judgment handed down by former Chief Justice Glenn Joyal struck all claims in a proposed class-action lawsuit against the North West Company regarding the federal Nutrition North Canada program. Plaintiffs Nellie Kusugak, Malaya Qaunirq Chapman, Isabelle Chapadeau, and Chief Darryl Wastesicoot had alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and breaches of the Competition Act and provincial consumer protection laws, claiming the retailer kept millions in subsidy money meant to lower northern grocery prices. The court ruled the claims were certain to fail because third-party consumers have no right to sue under the federal funding agreement between the retailer and the government, and the unjust enrichment and consumer protection arguments lacked legal viability.

P.E.I. got cash to crack down on short-term rentals — but did it help boost the housing supply?

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-24 09:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Housing, Affordability, Tourism, Governance]

Tourism P.E.I. utilized federal funding from the Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund to establish an inspection unit targeting unlicenced short-term rentals across Prince Edward Island. During its first year of operations, the enforcement unit identified 242 illegal short-term rental operations, which represented 10 per cent of the province's licensed tourism accommodations. Of those identified operations, the provincial government reported that 164 have subsequently ceased operating or transitioned into long-term housing options. However, housing advocates and municipal officials note that determining whether these regulatory enforcement efforts have measurably boosted the available year-round housing supply remains inconclusive.

Affordability measures, consumer protection legislation coming: Alberta government

Source: Alberta - Provincial Politics
Date: 2026-10-24 00:52:20.0
Tags: [Alberta, Affordability, Technology, Energy, Governance]

Ahead of the Alberta legislative session, Government House Leader Joseph Schow outlined an upcoming suite of bills focused on lowering auto insurance costs, revising utility bill protections, and updating consumer rules for ticket resales and used vehicles. The provincial government under Premier Danielle Smith also plans to introduce new regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence data centres—addressing grid stability, power bills, and water usage following public backlash over a $13-billion Sturgeon County project involving Meta—alongside merit-based public sector hiring rules, bike lane legislation, and stricter illegal dumping penalties.

Ontario and Canada Making Homes More Affordable in Sudbury

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Date: 2026-10-23 19:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Municipal, Housing, Affordability, Infrastructure, Finance]

The governments of Ontario and Canada announced that the City of Greater Sudbury will receive up to $45.3 million through the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP). In exchange, the City of Greater Sudbury has committed to eliminating development charges for all housing types from March 30, 2026, to March 31, 2029, a policy expected to reduce homebuilding costs by up to $22,162 per home and unlock 3,320 new homes. The federal funding flows through the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) under a 10-year, $8.8 billion cost-matched infrastructure agreement. The DCRP funding will directly support improvements to local water and wastewater infrastructure, specifically transitioning the Garson East Drinking Water System and upgrading watermains and sanitary sewers in the Maley Drive growth corridor.

Ontario and Canada Making Homes More Affordable in Essex County

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Date: 2026-10-23 18:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Municipal, Housing, Affordability, Infrastructure, Finance]

The governments of Ontario and Canada announced up to $105.8 million in infrastructure funding through the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) for regional and local municipalities in the County of Essex, including up to $51.2 million for Essex County, $77.6 million for the City of Windsor, $25.4 million for the Town of LaSalle, $11.8 million for the Municipality of Lakeshore, $8.4 million for the Town of Kingsville, $8.8 million for the Town of Essex, and $6.8 million for the Town of Tecumseh. In exchange, these municipalities have committed to reducing or eliminating development charges for all housing types between March 30, 2026, and December 31, 2030. Combined with a two-government agreement to provide relief on the full HST on eligible new homes from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, the initiatives are estimated to save homebuyers up to $170,862 per home and unlock 36,372 new homes across Essex County.

Ontario and Canada Making Homes More Affordable in Windsor and Tecumseh

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Date: 2026-10-23 15:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Municipal, Housing, Affordability, Infrastructure, Finance]

The governments of Ontario and Canada are providing up to $84.4 million through the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) to the City of Windsor and the Town of Tecumseh in exchange for reducing development charges for all housing types from March 30, 2026, to March 31, 2029. Windsor will receive up to $77.6 million to reduce development charges by 70 percent, funding stormwater management and roadway infrastructure projects while saving homebuyers up to $49,452 per home. The Town of Tecumseh will receive up to $6.8 million to reduce development charges by 50 percent, supporting new trunk sanitary sewer infrastructure and saving homebuyers up to $18,078 per home. Combined with a federal-provincial agreement providing full HST relief on eligible new homes, these initiatives aim to unlock 19,263 new homes across the region.

As the Yukon moves to lift rent control, we asked how many MLAs are landlords

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-23 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Affordability, Governance]

The Yukon government has tabled legislation to amend the territory's Residential Tenancies Act by lifting the residential rent cap and reintroducing no-cause evictions. CBC News analysis revealed that 6 of the territory's 21 MLAs (or roughly 28.6 per cent)—including four from the governing Yukon Party and two from the NDP—are landlords or have partners who are landlords, prompting conflict of interest concerns from the Official Opposition. However, the territorial conflict of interest commissioner determined that no conflict of interest exists regarding the vote because the legislative amendments apply broadly across the rental market rather than targeting specific properties or individuals.

Price spread between new and resale condos reveals market strength

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-22 14:16:43.0
Tags: [Alberta, Housing, Affordability, Economy]

A report by Real Property Solutions (RPS) indicates that the price spread between new and resale condominium units in Alberta widened from $84,000 in 2023 to $136,000 in 2025, reflecting market strength compared to tightening spreads in British Columbia and Ontario. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. statistics up to August 31, new condo development accounts for only 10 per cent of housing starts in Edmonton, while freehold ownership represents 47 per cent and rentals represent 43 per cent. Realtors Association of Edmonton statistics for September showed apartment resales down over eight per cent year over year, with an average condo price gaining 0.6 per cent to nearly $209,000, maintaining a buyer's market.

Premier Wakeham Announces $54 Million in Additional Affordability Relief

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-22 12:50:01.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Affordability, Energy, Taxation, Finance]

Premier Tony Wakeham and Minister of Finance Craig Pardy announced a $54 million affordability package to assist residents of Newfoundland and Labrador with winter energy costs. The initiative accelerates the implementation of the Churchill Falls Electricity Rebate starting in January 2027, providing residential customers of Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro a 15 per cent reduction (up to 2,000 kilowatt-hours per month) estimated at $351 annually, costing $45 million for the remainder of the 2026-27 fiscal year. Additionally, the maximum Home Heating Supplement for households relying on furnace or stove oil is doubled from $500 to $1,000 for the 2026 program, providing roughly $9 million in relief to approximately 9,000 current applicants.