The federal government quietly surveyed Canadians about the possibility of taxing home equity, documents reveal, despite repeated public assurances from cabinet ministers that no such policy was under consideration.
Blacklock's Reporter says a report titled Housing, Mortgage And Debt Survey, commissioned by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and conducted by Abacus Data, explored Canadians’ views on housing affordability and the potential impact of a home equity tax.
The survey, which cost taxpayers $234,744, collected input from 2,508 respondents in June 2022.
“There was confusion as to whether or not the federal government intended to introduce a tax on home equity,” the report noted. “Some were under the impression this was already being discussed at the federal level, and this created uncertainty and concern.”
Questions included whether respondents would support a tax on home sale profits above a certain threshold. Most participants strongly opposed the idea, with homeowners expressing fears it would penalize those who had invested in their properties over decades.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Housing Minister Sean Fraser have consistently denied plans to implement such a tax. However, the secretive nature of the polling has fueled skepticism.
“It was surprising to see a government that has repeatedly stated there is no interest in a home equity tax spending hundreds of thousands of dollars polling Canadians about it,” said Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
The CMHC defended the survey, stating it was part of broader research into housing challenges and not indicative of any specific policy plans.
“Polling Canadians about their views on housing affordability is a standard part of our work,” said CMHC spokesperson Catherine Léger. “It helps us understand public perspectives and identify potential solutions.”
Critics remain unconvinced. “It’s hard to see how asking Canadians about a tax they supposedly have no intention of introducing fits into a broader housing strategy,” said economist Michael Campbell. “This kind of polling only adds to public mistrust.”