Federal government removing GST on new rental builds, source says

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will announce today that Ottawa is removing the GST on construction of new rental apartment buildings, according to a senior government source.

The source spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss matters that were not yet public.

The change would lower the cost of labour and materials for homebuilders, and is one of the components of an affordability announcement Trudeau is set to make in the afternoon.

The news will close out the Liberal caucus retreat in London, Ont., where MPs gathered to strategize their approach for the return of Parliament next week.

Most of the party’s 158 MPs are at the three-day retreat, where Trudeau says his focus is hearing what constituents are telling members.

The Liberals have seen slumping poll numbers that suggest Canadians believe the Conservatives would do a better job dealing with affordability and housing concerns.

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