NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has announced a new plan aimed at addressing Canada’s housing crisis by unlocking public land to build affordable, rent-controlled homes. Singh emphasized the need for 6 million new homes in Canada and criticized both Liberal and Conservative governments for their slow progress, pointing out that only 85 homes per year have been built on public land over the last 30 years.
Singh’s plan would set aside 100% of suitable federal crown land to build over 100,000 rent-controlled homes by 2035. The NDP also plans to redesign and double the Public Land Acquisition Fund, investing $1 billion over five years to acquire more land for affordable housing. In addition, the plan includes public financing for new construction, creating a Community Housing Bank to partner with non-profits, co-ops, and Indigenous communities. Singh also outlined plans to speed up approval processes, train 100,000 new skilled trades workers, and use Project Labour Agreements to ensure good jobs and community benefits.
Singh criticized big corporations for buying up homes and pushing prices higher, contrasting his plan with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s proposal to sell more public land to private investors.
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