As part of its response to Canada’s ongoing housing challenges, the federal government has added another 12 new properties to the Canada Public Land Bank, a key initiative aimed at increasing the country’s housing supply. This brings the total number of federal properties identified as suitable for housing development to 83, spanning nine provinces and two territories.
The Canada Public Land Bank was launched in August 2024 as part of the federal government’s Public Lands for Homes Plan, an ambitious initiative under Budget 2024 and Canada’s Housing Plan. This plan is designed to address the housing crisis through the accelerated transformation of surplus and underutilized public lands into residential developments.
With the 12 newly added properties, the Public Land Bank now encompasses over 430 hectares of land.
Newly Available Properties
The newly announced properties could create nearly 3,900 housing units.
The 12 newly added properties to the Canada Public Land Bank have the potential to create nearly 3,900 housing units for middle-class Canadians. These properties are spread across six provinces and one territory, featuring a diverse mix of locations, including both large urban centers and smaller community settings.
Alberta
- Calgary – Currie Phase 14, Block 27A: Located at the corner of Calais Drive and Breskens Street Southwest.
- Calgary – Currie Phase 14, Block 31B: Situated at the intersection of Bessborough Drive and Breskens Street Southwest.
- Calgary – Currie Phase 12C: Found at the corner of Bessborough Drive and Quesnay Wood Drive.
Ontario
- Bracebridge – 98 Manitoba Street: Situated in Muskoka.
- London – 451 Talbot Street: Located in downtown London.
- Ottawa – 529 Richmond Road: Located in the west end of Ottawa.
Quebec
- Laval – Montée Saint-François (Laval Penitentiary): Located in one of Quebec’s key urban regions.
- Laval – Vacant Land next to 1575 Chomedey Boulevard: Another site in Laval.
Yukon
- Whitehorse – 419-421 Range Road: This property offers a diverse location in one of Canada’s northernmost cities.
New Brunswick
- Edmundston – 22 Emerson Street: Positioned in northern New Brunswick.
- Grand Falls – 373-377 Broadway Boulevard: Centrally located in the town of Grand Falls.
Nova Scotia
- Dartmouth – 15 Iroquois Drive: Positioned within the Halifax Regional Municipality.
A full list of all 83 properties and details are available on the online Canada Public Land Bank platform.
Canada Public Land Bank
The Canada Public Land Bank is one part of a broader effort by the federal government to unlock land for housing development. Since its launch, the Land Bank has facilitated calls for proposals for multiple properties, enabling collaboration with homebuilders, housing providers, and other stakeholders. Proposals for sites in cities like Edmonton, Toronto, and Gatineau have already been submitted, with evaluations currently underway.
A core principle of the Public Lands for Homes Plan is to preserve public ownership of lands by utilizing long-term leasing agreements. This ensures that new developments emphasize affordable housing while safeguarding public assets for future generations.
Additionally, the federal government has introduced the Public Lands Acquisition Fund, allocating $500 million to acquire surplus land from other levels of government. This fund will further expand the inventory of potential housing sites.
National Housing Goal
The federal government has set a target of building 4 million homes across Canada and aims to unlock 250,000 new homes by 2031 through the Public Lands for Homes Plan.
Feedback and Proposals
The Canada Public Land Bank program relies on collaboration with provinces, territories, municipalities, and other stakeholders. Feedback on the initiative and its properties, as well as proposals for how to use public lands, can be submitted online.
