Janet Robertson faced limited options after being evicted from her two-decade-long residence in Vancouver, Canada’s most expensive city. After years of paying 900 Canadian dollars (approximately $650) for her studio apartment, she struggled to find affordable housing, ultimately relocating to Chilliwack, about 60 miles east of Vancouver.
Chilliwack, once viewed unfavorably due to its rural nature, is now attracting many from Vancouver who can no longer afford to live there. The rising housing costs across Canada's urban centers are pushing renters out and making homeownership a distant dream, particularly for first-time buyers. This housing crisis is a significant concern for voters ahead of the national elections on April 28.
Canada's major cities, including Toronto and Vancouver, rank among the most expensive globally for housing. In Toronto, the average price for a single-family home has surged to approximately 1.4 million Canadian dollars ($1 million), compared to 970,000 dollars ($700,000) in 2020. Vancouver's standard price is even higher, at about two million dollars ($1.5 million), a significant increase from 1.4 million dollars ($1 million) five years ago.
The average rent in Vancouver is around 2,500 Canadian dollars ($1,800) per month, necessitating a low six-figure income to be considered affordable, according to Canada’s national housing agency. Many voters attribute the affordability crisis to the ruling Liberal government, exacerbated by rising grocery and gas prices.
Economic challenges could worsen due to tariffs on Canadian exports, potentially leading to job losses and a recession. The two main party leaders, Prime Minister Mark Carney of the Liberal Party and Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party, have focused on providing relief to Canadians, promising tax breaks for first-time home buyers and other financial assistance for low-income and middle-class families.
Despite moving to Chilliwack in search of more affordable housing, Robertson still struggles to pay her rent of 1,500 Canadian dollars ($1,100) for a one-bedroom apartment. She supplements her fixed government income with part-time jobs and is seeking additional work to manage her expenses.
Other residents, like Gursharan Dhillon and Kirk Jacobsen, have also relocated to Chilliwack due to surging home prices in their previous neighborhoods. Dhillon is working multiple jobs to support his family, while Jacobsen expressed concerns about the impact of rising living costs on his retirement savings.
Emily Jordan, who moved to Chilliwack with her family's assistance, has been able to expand her daycare business, although she still faces financial worries. Despite the relative affordability compared to Vancouver, home prices in Chilliwack are rising, with basic house prices nearing one million dollars, according to the mayor.
The influx of new residents has led to economic growth, including the establishment of new businesses and residential construction. However, long-time residents are experiencing challenges as rents increase, prompting some to support the Conservative Party for a change in government, citing a desire for a return to more affordable living conditions.