Know This: Edition #6

In this edition

• Canada’s bold plan to build more homes

• Canadians stay home: Fear, politics and the tourism turnaround

• New partnerships bring good trade news

• Ryan Reynolds wins the Order of Canada

• Grilled peach trifle with lemon buttermilk cake

A Word from the ParentsCanada Team

You might think that summer brings slower days, with less pressure, but for many families, it’s a busy season filled with new activities, events, obligations and more. The days are long and the to-do list grows as quickly as the weeds in the garden. At ParentsCanada, we know how chaotic it all feels. That’s why we send out Know This—our monthly current affairs newsletter—so you can easily keep tabs on the stories that matter most to you. Our team is here to sift through the news so you can spend more energy on the fun summer stuff (and hopefully even get a little rest!).

Thank you for having us in your inbox.

Jane Bradley
President, ParentsCanada

THE BIG STORY

Canada’s Bold Plan to Build More Homes

It’s no secret that many families, newcomers and young people in Canada find it hard to afford safe and stable homes. There just aren’t enough houses, purchase prices are sky high and the average rent keeps going up. As cities grow and demand increases, more Canadians face long waits, experience overcrowded living conditions or are forced to move far away from work and school to find a place they can afford. Fixing the housing crisis is important so all families have a fair shot at a stable future.

What's Happening

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is committing to a major initiative that will double the rate of residential construction in Canada for the foreseeable future. It’s a complicated, multi-pronged plan, but the goal is to construct 500,000 new homes every year for the next ten years. To do this, a new agency called Build Canada Homes has been created. The aim of BCH is to help build affordable housing at scale, lower fees, expedite processes and provide $10 billion in low-cost financing and capital to affordable home builders. There will also be a focus on converting existing structures into viable housing options.

What You Need to Know

The government’s plan is designed to help solve the shortage of homes by making it easier and cheaper to build them, and by encouraging developers and local governments to get more homes onto the market quickly. Both brand new homes and converted spaces (think old office buildings and warehouses turned into apartments) will be created. While experts say these changes could help Canadians to afford better places to live and ease high housing costs on households, it will probably take several years before the plan leads to enough new homes to make a big difference across the country.

Why This Matters to Families

When homes are more affordable and easier to find, families can worry less about money, spend less time searching for a place to live and feel more secure in their everyday lives. Affordable housing gives parents more room to save for other needs, which in turn helps children grow up in a more stable environment and allows everyone to put down roots in their communities.

THE EXPLAINER

Canadians Stay Home: Fear, Politics and the Tourism Turnaround

What’s Happening

This isn’t likely shocking to hear given the #elbowsup moment we’re in, but more and more Canadians are deciding to avoid travel to the United States this year. Beyond the usual concerns of cost and convenience, fears related to increased safety and a strong dislike for the current U.S. administration are leading many to rethink cross-border trips. These shifts are causing historic drops in border crossings by both car and air, as Canadians explore their own countryside instead.

Travel Habits This Year

• Only 9% plan to visit the U.S.—a sharp decrease from previous years

• 44% are planning trips to other provinces

• 38% are deciding to stay and travel within their own province

• 22% are interested in trips to Europe

• 20% are opting for staycations or no travel at all

What You Need to Know

Deciding where to travel has become more personal and political than maybe ever before. As fewer Canadians go south and their holiday spending stays home, local businesses like hotels, campgrounds, restaurants and attractions are experiencing increased demand. Tourism employment is rising, too, accounting for 10% of the country’s current job market. (This was likely not the expected impact of the actions of the U.S. government but we’ll take it!)

Why It Matters to Families

Parents and retirees now see local trips as safer and less stressful. Family outings, road trips and exploring Canadian cities or parks are taking precedence over foreign travel. As a result, Canadian communities are benefiting from increased tourism, and families are finding new ways to connect and create memories at home. This trend is strengthening local economies and reshaping the meaning of travel. If you’re planning a local or semi-local getaway this year, it’s important to keep this in mind. Where you might have easily secured lodging or attraction tickets previously, you might want to give yourself a little more planning runway so you aren’t disappointed.

THE HOT BUTTON

Trade Update: New Partnerships Bring Good News

Not all trade news is bad news. In fact, Canada recently announced two major trade partnerships, with the European Union (EU) and with Japan. These deals are designed to help Canadian businesses and workers by making it easier to both sell Canadian products around the world and to bring more affordable goods into the country.

EU Partnership

• A new trade deal with the EU is focused on boosting exports, sharing technology and working together on clean energy.

• Thanks to this partnership, more Canadian products (like food, cars and clean energy tech) can be sold in Europe with lower tariffs.

Japan Partnership

• The Canada–Japan partnership is picking up speed—especially for products like cars, seafood and technology.

• Canada and Japan are working together on projects like cleaner energy and new tech industries.

What This Means for Canadians

• Canadian exporters now have more markets to sell their goods, which helps protect jobs.

• Families may see lower prices on things like groceries and electronics as trade increases.

• Stronger international partnerships mean more stability for the economy, giving families more confidence about the future.

THE CHATTER

Ryan Reynolds Awarded the Order of Canada

We have many, many beloved Canadian celebrities, but perhaps none more popular than Ryan Reynolds (remember the Canada Loves You Back video of the pandemic?). And on July 1, the Deadpool actor added another honour to his long list of achievements—the Order of Canada. Reynolds was recognized for his philanthropy and advocacy for under-represented communities, working with organizations like Water First Education, Covenant House and, perhaps most famously, the Sick Kids Foundation. His wife, actor Blake Lively, and their four daughters were on hand to watch Reynolds receive the award.

THE TREAT

Grilled Peach Trifle with Lemon Buttermilk Cake

It’s peach season in much of the country, and if you’ve never grilled this stone fruit before, you’re missing out. Don’t feel like baking? Make this dessert with a store-bought pound cake for a quick and beyond-delicious summer treat.

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This month’s newsletter was written by Jane Bradley, edited by Katie Dupuis and designed by Tinker Solution.