News & Insights

It’s hard to escape the news these days that interest rates are going up in response to pressures from rising inflation. The most recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) release shows prices increasing at 6.7% annually, the highest since 1991. Inflation is concerning not only because higher prices are unpleasant – especially when wages and benefits don’t increase at the same rate.

John Ibbitson recently asked how Canada should adapt now that Canadians aged 65+ number 7 million given repercussions for medical care, long term care, etc. This is an important question. Generation Squeeze has been asking political leaders to consider the implications of an aging population for generational fairness for over a decade. But while Mr. Ibbitson deserves credit for raising the question, some of his solutions will lead today’s seniors towards a harmful legacy.

Another month, another record high notch in the Consumer Price Index, aka inflation level (as we discussed last time). Consumer prices increased by 5.7% over the last year, the most in over three decades. The price of everything has been rising, but leading the way, as usual, is home prices. They are up by a record 29% since last year; 3.5% over the last month alone.

In January, Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 5.1%, the fastest annual increase in over three decades. This is worrying, but what is even more concerning to us, here at Generation Squeeze, is that the true rate of inflation is much higher than this CPI reading suggests. Last time, we discussed how CPI, as constructed by Statistics Canada (StatsCan), does a poor job at representing inflation because it doesn’t adequately respond to changes in home values.

Canadians are now hearing a lot about our inflation woes. But it’s surprising that this story is only just taking center stage when rampant inflation to the largest expense faced by all Canadians – housing – has been the norm for the last 20 years.

Like many Canadians, you might be worried about rising prices, a.k.a inflation. Seeing prices go up can be an unpleasant experience. You’re working as hard as ever, but your paycheque doesn’t go as far as it used to. The price of everything - from food to furniture to gas - is rising. But nowhere is inflation more evident than in the housing market.

We all care about being treated fairly. It’s part of our sense of justice and equality, and our intuitions about getting what we feel we deserve. In conversations about housing, people on all sides of the debate claim to be defending what is fair. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Not everyone agrees with the recommendations, especially the idea of a Million-Dollar Homes Surtax. But reasonable debate is a key part of a well-functioning democracy, so thanks to the media for fostering this public good.

When it comes to housing in Canada, the status-quo has created inequality and complacency. Inequality, because rising housing prices lead to wealth windfalls for some while eroding affordability for others, which limits their chances to live up to their potential and enjoy life.  Complacency, because some homeowners reap wealth windfalls from skyrocketing prices without recognizing that their gains help to keep many others on the outside looking in.  It’s time for creative disruption to this status quo. It’s time to break Canada’s addiction to high and rising home values, by rebuilding our housing system around the concept of “Homes First. Investments Second.”