Opinion: Housing is not just a “Big City Problem”

In the ongoing conversation about Canada’s housing crisis, federal and provincial leaders have shown a troubling tendency to focus their attention on big and mid-sized cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Regina, Winnipeg, and Calgary - to only pick a few. The housing challenges in these urban centres are undeniable, but what about Canada’s smaller towns and rural municipalities?

From Girouxville in Alberta to Latchford in Ontario, to Fleming in Saskatchewan, smaller communities across the country are grappling with the same issues—rising housing costs, crumbling infrastructure, and a lack of affordable homes. Yet these smaller municipalities are often left out of the conversation, treated as an afterthought because they don’t have the political clout or the voter base to command attention.

This neglect is short-sighted and detrimental to Canada’s future.

Housing is not just a “big city problem”; it’s a national crisis that demands a national solution. If our leaders continue to ignore the needs of small towns and rural communities, Canada risks becoming a country of haves and have-nots, where opportunity and prosperity are concentrated in a few urban centres while the rest of the country is left behind.

It’s easy to see why urban centres dominate the headlines.

The sheer scale of the housing crisis in cities like Toronto and Vancouver is staggering, with home prices soaring to unimaginable levels and rental markets stretched beyond capacity. However, the challenges smaller municipalities face are just as real, if not more acute. Many rural communities are experiencing a surge in demand for housing as people seek to escape the high costs and congestion of big cities.

However, these towns often lack the resources and infrastructure to accommodate growth.

Take Girouxville, for example, a small community in northern Alberta. Like many rural towns, it struggles with aging infrastructure and a limited housing stock. The lack of affordable homes makes it difficult to attract and retain workers, which in turn hampers economic growth.

The problem isn’t just about quantity; it’s also about quality. Many homes in rural areas are old and in desperate need of repair. Yet funding for infrastructure and housing development is disproportionately funneled to larger cities, leaving small towns to fend for themselves.

Neglecting small communities is a grave mistake. These towns are the backbone of Canada’s economy, contributing to vital sectors such as agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. They are also essential to the social and cultural fabric of the country, offering a way of life that is deeply valued by many Canadians.

When small towns thrive, so does Canada as a whole. Investing in housing and infrastructure in these areas can drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for residents. Moreover, it can help alleviate some of the pressure on big cities by providing viable alternatives for people seeking affordable living options.

So why are federal and provincial leaders so fixated on urban centres? The answer, unfortunately, often comes down to politics. Larger cities have more voters, and politicians naturally gravitate toward where they can win the most support. But this approach is both cynical and counterproductive. Good governance means looking out for all citizens, not just those in major population centres.

The federal and provincial governments have a responsibility to ensure that funding for housing and infrastructure is distributed equitably. This doesn’t mean taking resources away from big cities—it means recognizing that small towns and rural communities have just as much right to federal and provincial support.

One way to achieve this is by creating targeted funding programs specifically for small and rural municipalities. These programs should be designed to address the unique challenges these communities face, such as limited access to construction materials and skilled labor.

Additionally, federal and provincial governments should work closely with local leaders to develop housing strategies that are tailored to the specific needs of each community.

Last week in Ottawa, we saw a meeting of the Big City Mayors Caucus and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities with federal politicians, including the Hon. Nate Erskine-Smith (federal Housing Minister) and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—a commendable effort to address the issues facing larger municipalities, while also discussing the ongoing threat of President Donald Trump's Tariffs on Canada.

However, during the press conference, I couldn’t help but wonder: When will there be a meeting between federal counterparts and a group of Rural Municipal Reeves or a group of Small Town and Village Mayors? I'll delve into that topic further later this week.

If our leaders fail to act, the consequences will be dire. Small towns and rural communities will continue to deteriorate, leading to a downward spiral of economic decline and population loss. This, in turn, will place even greater pressure on already overburdened urban centres.

Moreover, the growing divide between urban and rural Canada will only deepen, fueling resentment and political polarization. We’ve already seen signs of this divide in recent years, and ignoring the needs of small communities will only make it worse.

It’s time for federal and provincial leaders to take the housing challenge seriously—and that means treating all municipalities equally, whether they’re in Toronto or in the small communities of Greewood, British Columbia, or Grand Rapids, Manitoba. Canada’s future depends on it.

We need a true national housing strategy that recognizes the interconnectedness of urban and rural areas. Investing in small communities isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a smart economic move that will benefit the entire country. It’s about creating a Canada where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of where they live.

Our federal and provincial leaders must rise to the challenge and show that they are willing to invest in the future of every Canadian, not just those in major cities.

The housing crisis is a national problem, and it demands a national solution. It’s time for federal and provincial leaders to step up and ensure that no community is left behind. Canada’s future depends on it.