Findings examine how residents view housing supply, affordability, and the causes of Canada’s housing crisis
Scope Research has released further findings from its inaugural survey, providing a revealing snapshot of how residents in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia are feeling about the housing crisis.
While the perceived causes of the crisis (lack of affordable housing, immigration-driven demand, and stagnant job opportunities and growth) are consistent across the three provinces, the study reveals that the primary culprit shifts depending on the province.
“Our results show that the housing crisis is being recognized as a series of overlapping issues,” says Meghan O’Reilly, Lead Researcher at Scope. “While Ontario and BC residents identify the lack of affordable housing as the main cause, Albertan respondents were more focused on the impact of immigration on housing demand.”
Regional Highlights:
- Ontario residents expressed deep concern over local housing availability. 79% of respondents feel there aren’t enough affordable homes in their community. Notably, only 11% agreed that the current housing being built actually meets the needs of Canadians like them.
- Albertans generally agreed (67%) that the government is not doing enough to solve the housing crisis, but remain divided on the government’s capacity to do more. Relative to the respondents in other provinces, Albertans were split when asked about whether government intervention can solve the housing crisis.
- BC residents seem to perceive the crisis more acutely at the community level, with 62% agreeing there are not enough homes being built in Canada, and 82% reporting a lack of local affordable housing in their community.
Across all three surveys, a clear majority agree that the government’s current response to the housing crisis is falling short of what’s needed to solve it. However, there is a sense that government intervention can change things, as nearly half of those in Ontario and in BC feel that introducing new policies will make it easier for people to buy homes.
About the Survey
Results shown here were collected as part of Scope Research’s inaugural 2026 survey of Ontarians, Albertans, and British Columbians. Percentages shown in this release reflect question-level response bases from each of the three surveys.
Data was collected through three online surveys from January 20 to 22, 2026. 1500 responses were collected in Ontario and Alberta, and 1502 responses were collected in BC. Results were weighted by age and gender using data from the Canadian census, to ensure that the sample reflects the demographic makeup of each target province’s population.
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About Scope Research
Scope Research is a Toronto-based public opinion research firm that conducts quantitative and qualitative research for clients. With a team of seasoned strategists and experts, Scope helps clients gather, understand and utilize public opinion research to advance their organizational objectives. By combining deep expertise with a client-centric approach, Scope Research delivers tailored insights that achieve real-world results. Scope is a subsidiary of Jenni Byrne + Associates, a public affairs and government relations firm. For more information, visit scoperesearch.ca.
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