Mark Carney has emphasized the need to cut red tape and reduce fees to accelerate housing construction. (markcarney.ca) This market resolves to 'Yes' if the Canadian federal government officially announces a nationwide policy aimed at deregulating housing construction before July 18, 2025. Official announcements from the Government of Canada will serve as the resolution source.
Update 2025-06-18 (PST) (AI summary of creator comment): The creator specified what types of policies would or would not count as deregulation.
The policy must focus on removing existing regulatory barriers rather than creating new government interventions (e.g., financial incentives).
Examples of policies that would count:
Eliminating or reducing zoning restrictions, height/density limits, development charges, parking requirements, or rent control.
Streamlining permitting processes.
Examples of policies that would NOT count:
New tax incentives or subsidies (including resurrecting the MURB allowance).
Increased government spending on housing.
New programs for first-time buyers.
1,000Would count as deregulation:
- Eliminating or reducing zoning restrictions (e.g., allowing multi-family housing in single-family zones)
- Streamlining permitting processes or reducing approval timelines
- Removing height restrictions or density limits
- Eliminating or reducing development charges/fees
- Reducing parking requirements for new developments
- Removing rent control measures
Would NOT count as deregulation:
- New tax incentives or subsidies (including resurrecting MURB)
- Increased government spending on housing
- New programs to help first-time buyers
- Creating new government housing agencies
Regarding MURB specifically: No, I don’t think resurrecting the MURB allowance would count as deregulation. MURB is a tax incentive/subsidy program rather than the removal of regulatory barriers. Deregulation refers to eliminating rules, restrictions, or bureaucratic processes rather than adding new financial incentives.
The policy would need to focus on removing existing regulatory barriers rather than creating new government interventions in the market.
@stephenfayAzzP does encouraging municipalities to remove building restrictions via the Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) count? For example what recently happened in Winnipeg? https://bsky.app/profile/cbailey6.bsky.social/post/3lr6xahcz3k2z