Is the Dream of Homeownership in Canada Slipping Away?

WATCH NOW: Is the Dream of Homeownership in Canada Slipping Away? – A Conversation with Ron Butler

In the latest episode of the Move Smartly Podcast, I sit down with Ron Butler, veteran mortgage broker and host of the Angry Mortgage Podcast, for a frank and eye-opening discussion about the future of housing in Canada. We talk about whether the dream of homeownership is slipping further out of reach and if we’re heading toward a permanent renters society - a reality that many Canadians are beginning to feel more acutely. Ron shares his unfiltered perspective on what it would actually take to get more Canadians into homes again, and whether there’s any realistic path forward given today’s challenging economic and policy environment.

With housing construction in Ontario falling sharply, we dig into the deeper implications of this slowdown - whether the building of owner-occupied homes can realistically rebound, and what might happen to the wave of small “dog crate condos” currently in the development pipeline. Ron also raises concerns about projects supported by blanket appraisals and family office investments, exploring whether some of these could begin to fail under mounting market pressures.

Beyond housing itself, Ron explains how the slowdown in new construction could ripple through the broader economy  - from job losses in construction and trades to reduced growth across industries that depend on housing and development. The conversation paints a sobering picture of how intertwined Canada’s housing challenges are with its overall economic health.

Because as Ron makes clear - the future of Canada’s housing market isn’t just about homes; it’s about the kind of country we’re becoming.

John Pasalis is President of Realosophy Realty. A specialist in real estate data analysis, John’s research focuses on unlocking micro trends in the Greater Toronto Area real estate market. His research has been utilized by the Bank of Canada, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Have questions about your own moves in the Toronto area as a buyer, seller, investor or renter? Book a no-obligation consult with John and his team at a Realosophy here: https://www.movesmartly.com/meetjohn

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