A new Rentals.ca survey reveals that many Canadian renters feel disengaged, under-informed, and skeptical of political leadership as housing affordability remains a top concern ahead of the 2025 federal election.
Only 13% of renters consider themselves very well-informed about housing policy, while another one-third say they are somewhat informed. Among undecided voters-who make up 35% of respondents-fewer than one in four feel they understand the issue well.
The survey found that renters rely on social media (29%) and news websites (28%) as their primary sources of housing information. Those who feel well-informed are more likely to turn to news websites (32%) and party platforms (28%) than social media.
When asked about the biggest contributors to housing unaffordability, renters cited economic instability (44%), wage stagnation (41%), and government inaction (40%), ranking these factors above housing supply (36%). Concerns over inflation and wages were even more pronounced among undecided voters.
Despite 82% of respondents saying housing policy is important or very important, confidence in federal parties remains low. Fewer than 10% of renters express strong confidence in any party’s housing plan, and more than half gave each party a low confidence rating.
One-third of renters (35%) remain undecided on how they’ll vote, a larger share than those currently backing either the Liberals or Conservatives. Among decided voters, the Conservatives lead slightly at 28%, with the Liberals at 26%, while the NDP and other parties trail behind.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
