Liberals Leave Homebuyers Waiting, Conservatives Will Save Them Money

September 25, 2026

September 25, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – Scott Aitchison, Conservative Shadow Minister for Housing, released the following statement following reporting from the Toronto Sun on delays with the first-time homebuyer GST rebate:

“After more than a decade of Liberal policies driving homeownership further out of reach, Canadians got more empty promises and thousands of first-time buyers left waiting for a rebate.

“According to the Toronto Sun, as of June 19, just 150 of 7,500 applications had been approved. Another 6,700 were still under review and 620 had been rejected.

“Only two per cent had been approved.

“The Liberals introduced a more limited version of the Conservative proposal, restricting relief to eligible first-time buyers.

“And now, after watering down the Conservative plan, they are failing to deliver even that limited relief properly.

“Applicants were waiting an average of 50 days for a decision. Canadians should not have to wait nearly two months for housing relief they qualify for.

“This is what happens when Liberal bureaucracy gets between Canadians and the relief they were told was coming.

“Instead of collecting and temporarily rebating the sales tax, Conservatives will save Canadians more money on housing by permanently scrapping the GST on all new homes up to $1.3 million, saving buyers up to $65,000.

“We will push municipalities to halve development charges, speed up permits and free up land so builders can build more homes at lower cost and hard work can once again earn Canadians a home of their own.”