Nearly 9 in 10 Ontarians Concerned About Greater Toronto Housing Costs

A new construction project for housing is seen in Toronto's Regent Park, on July 27, 2024. The Canadian Press/Chris Young

Nearly nine in 10 Ontarians are concerned about housing affordability, prompting many to consider relocating from the Greater Toronto Area, a new poll suggests.

The Ipsos survey found 88 percent of the 1,700 Ontario adults polled are worried about housing affordability in the GTA. Concerns are particularly high in Toronto and Peel, where 89 percent expressed worry, compared to 80 percent in Simcoe.

Nearly half—48 percent—of respondents said they are likely to move to another jurisdiction within the next five years due to affordability concerns. Of those, 18 percent said they are “very likely” to move, while 30 percent are “somewhat likely.” This sentiment was strongest in Peel at 56 percent and Simcoe at 51 percent. It was lowest in York at 38 percent.

Younger Ontarians are more likely to consider relocating in search of more affordable housing options, with a notable 72 percent of those aged 18 to 34 and 51 percent of those aged 35 to 54 expressing this sentiment.

Meanwhile, a January report from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) noted that high housing costs are limiting population mobility because Canadians find it too expensive to buy or rent in cities offering job opportunities. A one percent increase in housing prices in a destination city leads to a corresponding one percent decline in the number of people moving there, according to the federal housing agency.

The percentage of households in Canada moving each year—including within municipalities—has dropped from nearly 17.8 percent in 1990 to just 10.1 percent in 2020, according to the CMHC.

The Ipsos survey also found a lack of confidence in the next generation’s quality of life, with 75 percent of respondents doubting that future generations will enjoy the same standard of living. Pessimism is particularly pronounced among those aged 55 and older, with 83 percent expressing concerns. The lack of confidence was highest in Simcoe at 85 percent followed by Durham at 80 percent. It was lowest in Peel at 31 percent.

‘Urgent Policy Action’

Ipsos’ findings in February echo its survey from Dec. 30, 2024, which found that 95 percent of respondents nationwide believe Canada is in the midst of a housing crisis. The concern was particularly strong in Ontario, where 73 percent of respondents agreed, compared to 62 percent in Quebec and 57 percent in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

In the same national survey, 46 percent of Canadians identified the federal government as primarily responsible for the housing crisis and the same proportion said it should take the lead in addressing it. Twenty-six percent said the provincial government was responsible, with 27 percent saying it should lead the response. The municipal government was seen as the least responsible, with only 8 percent of Canadians placing the responsibility there.

In the February 2025 survey of Ontarians, respondents expressed frustration that “governments at all levels are not doing enough” to address the GTA housing shortage. Eighty-two percent placed the blame on the provincial government, while 80 percent said the federal government was at fault, and 78 percent percent said municipal governments should do more.

“Overall, the survey results underscore housing affordability as an issue requiring urgent policy action,” Ipsos said in the Feb. 11 press release.

Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford, who called an early election for Feb. 27, has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031. As part of this effort, the Ontario government in March 2024 announced a $1.8 billion investment in infrastructure projects that would support housing constructions.