The Canadian government has recently announced a two-year extension to the ban on foreign ownership of Canadian housing. This move reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that Canadians have access to affordable housing, promoting stability in the real estate market, and addressing concerns about the impact of foreign investment on housing prices.

The decision to extend the ban comes in the wake of growing concerns about the role of foreign investors in the Canadian real estate market. In recent years, major cities across the country, especially Vancouver and Toronto, have witnessed skyrocketing housing prices, making it increasingly challenging for many Canadians to enter the property market. The government's initial ban on foreign ownership, implemented in January 2023, was a response to these concerns and aimed to cool down the housing market.

“We do not foresee an extension to the foreign buyer ban resulting in a drastic improvement to housing affordability. Non-Canadian property ownership makes up a small percentage of the overall housing market, therefore a ban on such ownership is not likely to improve access to housing in a material way,” said Karen Yolevski, COO, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. “Given the imbalance between available inventory and buyer demand, the best way to solve Canada’s housing crisis is to significantly increase supply.”

The ban comes with specific exceptions, notably for individuals holding temporary work permits, refugee claimants, and international students who fulfill certain conditions. Those in violation of the ban could face penalties up to $10,000 and may be compelled to sell the implicated property. 

More information is available on the government’s website.