Housing

Consumers Council of Canada’s work on housing 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

Housing, Defense Canada’s Top 2022 Budget Priorities

The shortage of affordable housing and increased defense spending highlight Canada’s proposed federal budget for 2022-23, tabled by Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland on April 7. Acknowledging that “Canada does not have enough homes. We need...

Piecing Together a Canadian Consumer Protection Policy

The federal government detailed its key consumer protection priorities within 38 mandate letters to ministers made public in December. Those 'marching orders' to ministers include some significant and ambitious commitments to long-standing consumer protection issues....

New Code of Ethics Top Ontario Home Regulator’s First Year

The introduction and implementation of a new Code of Ethics is the highlight achievement of the first year of Ontario’s new Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA), says its chief executive. “Builders and vendors now have clear standards for their conduct, which...

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