2026 Pre-Budget REALTOR® Recommendations to Meaningfully Advance Canadian Housing
The federal budget is an important financial and policy blueprint that the Government of Canada introduces every year.
Before that can happen, though, the government asks Canadians and organizations for their input through its pre-budget consultation. For the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), it's an annual milestone for our advocacy team to communicate what REALTORS® see every day, and the data that supports that, to decision makers on Parliament Hill.
Right now, that means highlighting that Canadians need more housing options, but today's system isn't delivering enough homes that people can afford. This isn’t a lack of demand; in fact, eight in 10 young Canadians (aged 18-44) still want to own a home. The challenge is that the housing stock doesn’t reflect how people live.
To better understand what that means in practice, and what we’re recommending to the government as possible solutions, continue to read our pre-budget REALTOR® Recommendations for 2026.
Jump Ahead
A National Strategy for a National Challenge
Canada's housing challenges require governments to work together.
For years, Canada has shifted from low-density family housing to high-density apartments, leaving a gap in “missing middle” housing like townhomes, duplexes, and small multiplexes.
REALTORS® Recommend
A National Strategy 2.0: Partner with provinces and territories on a renewed strategy that prioritizes housing choice across the full continuum.
Aligned Mandates: Establish clearly defined, outcome-driven mandates for both Build Canada Homes (BCH) and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
A Mandate for the Moment
CMHC reinvented itself in 1954, 1960 and 1999. Canada’s missing middle is the next call.
REALTORS® Recommend
Modernized CMHC Insurance: Offer preferential insurance for municipalities that meet upzoning and density targets, with priority for missing middle housing supply.
A Smarter Toolkit for a Stronger Market
The right tools exist — Canada needs to aim them at the right problem.
REALTORS® Recommend
Mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) – Middle Supply Category: Add a new category that prioritizes family-sized units and Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF)-aligned projects, with eligibility that works for small builders and property owners.
Pilot a Canadian Progressive Homeownership (PHO) Program: Add a new pathway to ownership for entry-level and lower-income households through rent-to-own and shared equity arrangements.
A Measure of What Matters
Good data leads to good policy. Canada can’t afford to navigate the next housing decade without it.
REALTORS® Recommend
Prioritize Housing Data: Release Census 2026 housing data in the first wave of 2027 so REALTORS®, policymakers, and planners can evaluate what’s working and adjust accordingly.
The Bottom Line
As REALTORS® know well, the dream of homeownership isn’t dead. For many, though, the pathway to get there is broken. Restoring it will require a renewed national commitment to building and financing the right kind of homes for all phases and stages of life.
Canada has the institutions. Canada has the resources. Canada has the tools.
This is the moment.
We encourage you to share these recommendations in your networks and on your social media channels to help strengthen the voice of REALTORS® as we advocate for thriving futures for all, beginning with home.
