To counter the negative sentiment, Finance Minister Bill Morneau is expected to make use of unexpectedly strong revenues from the first nine months of the fiscal year to table a stimulus-filled federal budget on Tuesday, the last budget ahead of an October election. Others options include bigger tax breaks for first-time buyers and more space to borrow from retirement savings. But economists warn that too many perks could inadvertently reheat housing markets, putting ownership further out of reach for millennials and other first-time buyers, especially in expensive cities like Vancouver and Toronto. Budget documents may go into some detail, or just make a general commitment to boost coverage, leaving specifics for the election campaign. Speaking at a shoe repair shop on Thursday, Morneau hinted such measures would be coming.

Source: National Post March 17, 2019 17:48 UTC