Housing
Consumers Council of Canada’s work on housing related issues in recent years has been influenced by initiatives at all levels of government to respond to climate change. A significant part of the Council’s work has centred around the development of a more energy efficient building code, and gauging likely impacts on and acceptance by consumers of measures to promote energy efficient housing.
More recently the Council has explored the direct and indirect impact on consumers of urban planning objectives promoting residential intensification.
Council consumer representation and research has addressed:
- Residential intensification
- Home energy efficiency
- Consumer views on sustainable consumption
- Home renovation problems
- New home warranty programs
If you are concerned about consumer protection in housing, the Council encourages you to get involved.
Please contact us if you have some information you believe will assist the Council’s representation of consumers about housing-related issues.
Recent Developments
Ontario Pledges Reformed Protections for New Home Buyers
Ontario new home buyers will see some reforms in the way homes are regulated and warrantied in late 2020, but the scope and many of the specifics of those changes have not been announced or put out for consultation. In early December, the government announced it was...
Consumers nervous to get good, useful advice about energy performance of their homes
Canadians want clear, simple, trustworthy and actionable information to assist them when they buy a new or resale home and to assist them in making decisions to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, new research has determined. Consumers Council of Canada...
Consumers nervous to get good, useful advice about energy performance of their homes
Canadians acting to improve their homes and make them more energy efficient, whether to reduce their contribution to climate change or to improve the comfort or cost-effective operation of their home, want to do so informed about what’s best for them rather than...
Related Reports
Towards a National Housing Strategy, 2016 Download
Residential Intensification: The Impact on Consumers, 2016 Download
Will Consumers Benefit from Enhanced Product Labeling on Energy-Efficient Products?, 2014 Download
Residential Intensification: Density and Its Discontents, 2014 Download
The Impact of Higher Energy Efficiency Standards on Housing Affordability in Alberta, 2012 Download
Sustainable Household Consumption: Key Considerations for a Canadian Strategy, 2009 Download
The Ontario Smart Metering Initiative – What Does It Mean for Ontario’s Residential Consumers, 2009 Download
Renovation Rip-Offs: Problems and Solutions, 2009 Download
Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Climate Change Download
Energy Efficiency and Building Codes Download
Gaps in New Home Warranty Programs Across Canada Download