We have taken a number of actions to address the cost of housing. For example, to increase the construction of rental housing, we announced the removal of the GST on purpose-built rental developments.
Recently, at the Standing Committee on Finance, I asked urban planner Jennifer Keesmaat what impact the GST rebate will have.
Her response in summary: The GST rebate is having a positive impact by making previously financially unviable developments of rental housing viable, and will therefore help get more rental housing built.
