Canada's Relocation Property Rules Eased
On 1 January 2023, the Canadian Government imposed restrictions on non-Canadians from buying residences with the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, which prohibited relocating employees from purchasing a home in Canada until certain restrictions were met . We’re happy to provide some recent updates that have amended the situation.
After much lobbying from the Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC) and Worldwide ERC, Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, announced amendments to the law that will help alleviate stress for anyone who is considering moving to Canada.
Updated Amendments
- Non-Canadian employees with a valid work permit who work in Canada for at least 183 days may now purchase a single home.
- The requirements for a non-Canadian investor owning equity in a private Canadian business was increased from 3 percent to 10 percent. Once the equity threshold has been met, these investors will also be able to purchase a home.
- Non-Canadians may now purchase property for development purposes, such as vacant lots, zoned for residential or mixed use.
“These amendments will allow newcomers to put down roots in Canada through home ownership and businesses to create jobs and build homes by adding to the housing supply in Canadian cities,” says Hussen.
Unfortunately, non-Canadian relocation management companies (RMCs) are still not able to acquire homes as part of a Guaranteed Buy Out or Buyer Value Option program.
NEI will continue to keep our clients updated with any further developments as they occur.
Canada's Relocation Property Rules Eased
On 1 January 2023, the Canadian Government imposed restrictions on non-Canadians from buying residences with the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, which prohibited relocating employees from purchasing a home in Canada until certain restrictions were met . We’re happy to provide some recent updates that have amended the situation.
After much lobbying from the Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC) and Worldwide ERC, Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, announced amendments to the law that will help alleviate stress for anyone who is considering moving to Canada.
Updated Amendments
- Non-Canadian employees with a valid work permit who work in Canada for at least 183 days may now purchase a single home.
- The requirements for a non-Canadian investor owning equity in a private Canadian business was increased from 3 percent to 10 percent. Once the equity threshold has been met, these investors will also be able to purchase a home.
- Non-Canadians may now purchase property for development purposes, such as vacant lots, zoned for residential or mixed use.
“These amendments will allow newcomers to put down roots in Canada through home ownership and businesses to create jobs and build homes by adding to the housing supply in Canadian cities,” says Hussen.
Unfortunately, non-Canadian relocation management companies (RMCs) are still not able to acquire homes as part of a Guaranteed Buy Out or Buyer Value Option program.
NEI will continue to keep our clients updated with any further developments as they occur.
