Ottawa to spend $3.7 billion on military housing

The federal government will spend $3.7 billion to build about 6,000 military housing units across 25 communities, Defence Minister David McGuinty said, and said construction will take place over several years.

The federal government announced it will spend $3.7 billion to build about 6,000 new housing units for members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Defence Minister David McGuinty made the announcement at CFB Uplands in Ottawa and said the work will take place over several years. The new units add to roughly 800 already under construction and will be distributed across 25 communities. Officials noted the move follows concerns about aging and poor housing conditions identified in an auditor general report. Key facts: - The government announced a $3.7 billion allocation to build roughly 6,000 military housing units. - The program will span 25 communities and builds on about 800 units already under construction. - Specific allocations named include CFB Gagetown (500 units) and Kingston (900 units); Valcartier, Petawawa and Edmonton were each said to receive more than 1,000 units. - Auditor General Karen Hogan reported that some military housing is aging, in poor condition and that there is a shortfall; she cited examples such as unsafe drinking water, non-working toilets and exterior structural damage. - Defence Minister David McGuinty said recruitment is up about 13 per cent over the last eight months and linked housing improvements to force readiness. - Conservative defence critic James Bezan cited a National Defence committee report that noted a 2023-24 wait-list of more than 6,700 members seeking military housing and expressed skepticism about delivery. Summary: The funding increases planned on-base housing capacity and responds to previously reported shortages and condition concerns. Officials did not provide a detailed construction timeline beyond saying the work will occur over several years. Undetermined at this time.