This episode of GovGurus is proudly sponsored by Salesforce.
In the latest episode of GovGurus, host J. Richard Jones is joined by Lori Turnbull, Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Government Executive Media, for a wide-ranging conversation about Canada’s housing crisis—and why it’s proving so hard to fix.
Turnbull breaks down how the crisis plays out differently across the country (urban vs. rural, region to region) and why solutions can’t sit with any single government. Federal, provincial, municipal, and Indigenous governments all have roles to play—but coordinating a response is politically loaded, operationally complex, and extremely expensive.
The episode also digs into the “wicked problem” dynamics behind housing: how population growth and immigration policy intersect with the pace of homebuilding and the capacity of social programs, and why Canada can end up in the contradiction of welcoming newcomers without enough places to live. The conversation then turns to the federal government’s “Build Canada Homes” approach—its goal of unlocking supply-side housing solutions and attracting private investment—and why success may depend on broader economic conditions, investor confidence, and policy signals well beyond housing alone.
Finally, Turnbull highlights one of the hardest balancing acts in the debate: expanding access and affordability without ignoring the reality that many homeowners see their home as their primary financial asset.
Tune in for a clear-eyed look at what’s driving the crisis, what governments are trying, and why progress may take time—even when the urgency is undeniable.
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Canada’s housing shortage is being intensified thanks to outdated, fragmented permitting and licensing systems. Click here to learn how Salesforce Licensing, Permitting & Inspections supports regulatory modernization.
