C-20 An Act Respecting the Establishment of Build Canada Homes
Short Title: Build Canada Homes Act
Bill Type: House Government Bill
Bill Sponsor: Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Note: This Bill is linked to Bill C-15 (Budget 2025 Implementation Act). If C-15 receives Royal Assent first, funding provisions in this Bill automatically adjust to avoid double-counting — without a separate Parliamentary vote.
What This Bill Does
Government is creating a new Crown corporation called Build Canada Homes with up to $11.5 billion in federal funding. Its job is to increase the supply of affordable housing and promote faster, more innovative construction methods. It can build homes directly, invest in developers, provide loans and guarantees, and acquire or develop land. It also has authority to absorb assets and operations from Canada Lands Company Limited — an existing Crown corporation that manages federal real estate.
WHO GAINS POWER
- Governor in Council gains authority to direct Build Canada Homes and Canada Lands Company Limited to restructure, transfer assets, create or dissolve subsidiaries — by directive, without Parliamentary approval
- Minister of Finance gains authority to release up to $11.5 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to fund the Corporation
- Build Canada Homes gains broad authority to invest in, develop and acquire housing — including developing land and constructing homes directly
- Governor in Council can exempt the Corporation from key Financial Administration Act oversight provisions by order
WHO LOSES POWER
- Parliament — the $11.5 billion funding envelope is set in this Bill; no annual vote required to release funds
- Canada Lands Company Limited — can be directed by Cabinet to transfer its assets, restructure or dissolve subsidiaries without its own board's independent consent
- Canadians have no legal recourse against the Crown for actions taken under a Cabinet directive to reorganize these corporations
WHO GAINS MONEY
- Build Canada Homes — up to $11.5 billion in federal funding plus up to $400 million in borrowing from other sources
- Canada Lands Company Limited — up to $1.515 billion in additional capital contributions
- Developers, builders and investors — eligible for loans, guarantees and direct investment from the Corporation
- Municipalities and provinces — eligible for financial assistance and partnership agreements
WHO LOSES MONEY
- Taxpayers — up to $13 billion in combined exposure ($11.5B + $1.515B) drawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund
- Existing Canada Lands Company Limited operations — assets can be transferred to Build Canada Homes by Cabinet order
THE CATCH
- The Corporation is reviewed only every 5 years initially, then every 10 years — very long gaps for a $11.5 billion entity
- Cabinet can strip the Corporation of Financial Administration Act oversight protections by order — reducing accountability
- No requirement to demonstrate affordable housing outcomes before funds are released
- The Corporation can provide loan guarantees — which are not counted against its $400 million borrowing cap — creating potential off-balance-sheet exposure
- Coordinating amendments mean funding provisions could be quietly rewritten if Bill C-15 passes first
Source: Bill C-20 — Build Canada Homes Act First Reading: February 5, 2026