MNI BRIEF: Trudeau Blames NIMBYs For National Housing Squeeze

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday blamed local “not in my backyard” policies for a national housing shortage while offering limited additional support to boost lagging supply that’s creating widespread voter anger over affordability.

“For houses to get built, we need to confront head on NIMBY-ism” and focus on denser housing and faster project approvals, Trudeau said, hinting that expanded funding later this year will be tied to such goals. “Housing affordability is no longer a Vancouver or a Toronto problem,” he told municipal leaders. “It’s a problem in all of our communities.”

Trudeau came to power in 2015 promising middle class prosperity and named a special housing minister who rolled out tens of billions of dollars for construction and offered homebuyer tax perks. It hasn’t been enough and while Trudeau's speech often blamed the prior government for falling behind, officials warn his goal of doubling new construction is at risk. (See: MNI: Canada Minister Briefed 45% Cost Jump Risks Housing Goal and MNI: Trudeau Told Falling Prices To Hurt Homebuilding-Briefing)