You ever get that feeling like owning a home is like the be-all and end-all
for financial success in Canada? Like that's the key, right? Right.
Well, we did a deep dive into some recent data from Stats Canada.
Fascinating. Let me tell you, the findings are pretty eye-opening, to say the least.
It's more than just a feeling, though, right? It's an actual reality reflected in the numbers.
We're looking at this report on the net worth of Canadian families.
Yeah. And the difference between homeowners and renters is, I mean,
it's genuinely staggering. Yeah.
To kick things off, I think we should talk about kind of the elephant in the
room, which is this median net worth figure.
Right. For homeowner families in their late 50s with a pension.
Yeah. It's 100 times greater than renters in the same age group. Wow. Without a pension.
That's huge. We're talking $1.4 million versus $11,900.
Yeah, and that's not a typo. That is the reality of the situation.
The wealth gap is that big.
And even if you look at homeowners in their late 50s who don't have a pension,
they're still doing pretty well, you know?
$914,000, which is significantly more than renters with a pension.
Renters with a pension, their median net worth is $359,000.
So even if you don't have a pension, owning a home puts you,
I mean, leaps and bounds ahead, it seems, compared to renting. It really does.
I almost think it's almost as if homeownership has become this cultural mantra
in Canada for financial security, maybe to an unhealthy degree.
Yeah, I think that's a terribly good point. Too much.
Yeah. And I mean, this isn't just like an older Canadian phenomenon.
Right. Like even younger folks are caught up in this. Absolutely. Yeah.
If you look at the numbers for families where the main income earner is under
35, the median net worth for homeowners is $457,100.
Wow. Compare that to renters of the same age, $44,000.
That's crazy. So you start to see that disparity very, very early on.
Yeah, it's wild how big that gap is, even from such a young age. Yeah.
But here's where things get even more interesting, I think. Okay.
The report actually found that even renters are getting in on the real estate action.
Yes. This was a very interesting trend to see. Yeah. They're not buying their
primary residence necessarily.
Right. But a growing number of renters are buying real estate.
It's like everyone's trying to get a piece of the pie. It seems so, yeah.
Everyone's trying to get into the real estate game somehow, right?
And the data kind of supports this.
In 2023, 15% of renters without pensions had a net worth over $150,000.
Okay. And that's compared to just 5% back in 2019.
The big jump. Huge jump, right? Yeah. So it seems like this idea that real estate
equals wealth is resonating pretty strongly.
And I think it really begs the question, is this just everyone chasing the same
dream? Right. Or are there...
Are there deeper forces at play here? Like, is there limited investment knowledge? Right.
Lack of alternative wealth building options. Right.
You know, driving this singular focus on real estate. Yeah.
These are things we got to explore further, I think. Absolutely.
It's not just about the numbers. It's about like why.
Yeah, exactly. That's the reason behind them. Yeah. The why is crucial.
Speaking of numbers, though, the report also found that actually a good thing,
the overall median net worth of Canadian households has actually seen a pretty
significant jump since 2019.
Okay. It's now $519,700.
Wow. That's a 57% increase from four years ago. So at least things are like
moving in the right direction.
Well, yes and no. Okay. I mean, overall wealth is increasing,
but we have to ask ourselves, you know, is that growth equally distributed?
Right. Is this rising tide lifting all boats? Yeah.
Or is the gap between homeowners and renters actually getting bigger? Yeah.
The report doesn't explicitly answer that, which leads to some really interesting areas. Right.
You know, for further digging. We need to we need to look into this.
It's like it's like looking at a snapshot of the economy. Right.
It captures this moment in time. Yeah. But it doesn't really give you the whole
story. You're missing pieces.
Right. Right. And speaking of missing pieces. OK, there's another important
thing that the report doesn't really fully capture.
You're talking about the ultra rich, I presume. Exactly. OK,
yeah. It doesn't really paint a complete picture.
Right. Of the wealth that's held by the top one percent, even the point one
percent. Yeah. The top, top, top.
Yeah. Like the wealthiest family in previous surveys had a net worth that was
way, way below what we know.
Lots of Canadians actually have. Right, like tens of millions versus billions held by some folks.
So it's a pretty big blind spot. Absolutely.
Credit Cerise estimates there are thousands of Canadians.
With net worths over $50 million.
Okay. And over 100 with net worths. Crazy. Over $500 million.
That's what's up. And the parliamentary budget officer's findings also suggest
that the share of wealth that's concentrated at the very top is probably a lot higher.
Yeah. Than the survey lets on. Yeah. So there's a real chance that wealth concentration
at the top is even more extreme than we realize. It's like trying to solve a
puzzle where you're missing like half the pieces. Right. You don't have all the information.
You're just seeing like a tiny fraction of the actual picture. Absolutely.
And that lack of complete data really hinders our ability to properly assess
and address wealth inequality. Right.
Right. Without really understanding fully how wealth is distributed,
it's really difficult to come up with effective policies that are actually going to promote wealth.
Fairness and opportunity for for everyone.
It kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it? Like, what would happen if we had like
this really clear, detailed picture of wealth distribution in Canada?
A perfect picture. Would it would it change our approach? We come up with different solutions.
Like, it's definitely something to think about. Critical questions. Yeah.
Having that more comprehensive understanding could lead to better policy decisions
on a whole range of issues. Yeah.
Taxation, affordable housing. Yeah. You name it. Yeah.
Without that complete picture it's like we're we're
operating in the dark yeah you're pulling making decisions based on
on incomplete information so even though the report kind
of shines a light on some important things it also like
raises all these new questions and challenges yeah
it's not just about homeowners versus renters anymore
right right it's about like understanding the
nuances of of wealth like digging
deeper yeah digging deeper understanding like the
limitations of of the
data and and considering like what
could happen if we don't have the whole picture absolutely yeah
and i think recognizing those limitations right is just as important yeah as
actually analyzing the data itself right yeah it allows us to approach the issue
you know with your healthy skepticism and you know look for more information
to complete that that picture it's like it's like this is just a stepping stone
right yeah this is this is a starting point.
It's not the final destination in this journey of understanding and,
you know, addressing wealth inequality in Canada.
Absolutely. But you know what? Enough about like the data itself. Okay.
I kind of want to explore, like, what are the actual implications of all this?
Right. The real world impact.
Yeah. Like, what can we do about this wealth gap? Yeah. How do we create a system
that's fair where everyone has the opportunity to do well, whether they own a home or not.
Yeah, that's the million-dollar question. Right.
Or maybe the billion-dollar question, considering the amount of wealth we're discussing.
Yeah. And I don't think there's any easy answers here. Right.
But I think there's a few key areas we can focus on.
Yeah. I think, first and foremost, we've got to tackle this issue of housing
affordability head-on.
Right. You're talking about the ever-increasing... Yes, the cost of housing. Right.
It's a major barrier to entry, especially for young people and those with lower
incomes. So we need policies that are going to promote.
A wider range of affordable housing options, not just for ownership, but for renting as well.
So think like increased investments in social housing, incentives for developers
to actually prioritize affordable units,
explore some more innovative models like rent-to-own programs,
which kind of bridge the gap between renting and owning.
So it's like creating this system that's more accessible. Yeah,
accessible and inclusive.
To everyone, right. Right. Regardless of like what you make.
Yeah. Your background. It's not enough to just, you know, acknowledge the problem.
Right. We need to take concrete steps. Right.
Actions that are actually going to level the playing field and create opportunities
for everyone to participate in the housing market. Right.
Whether they're owners or renters. Yeah, totally.
But focusing only on housing might be like a bit too narrow.
Right. Yeah. It's it's a piece of the puzzle. Right. Right. Yeah, exactly.
Like what about other aspects? Yeah. of financial well-being,
how do we address the overall wealth inequality itself?
That's where the conversation really needs to expand beyond just housing policy.
We need to actually address wealth inequality directly, head-on,
through comprehensive measures that promote fairness and opportunity for all Canadians.
So this means looking at things like the tax system, our social safety nets,
It's access to financial education and resources.
So it's like not just one thing, right? It's a multi-pronged approach.
It's like we need to come at it from all these different angles instead of just
focusing on one solution. It's about creating a system that.
Supports economic mobility, encourages responsible wealth creation,
and ensures that the benefits of a strong economy are shared more equitably amongst all Canadians.
Yeah. It sounds like a huge task. Yeah. But it's a conversation we need to be
having, I think. Absolutely.
Yeah. I mean, at the end of the day, a nation's prosperity shouldn't just be
measured by its overall wealth. Right.
But by how that wealth is distributed and how it actually empowers all of its
citizens. I couldn't agree more. Absolutely.
All right. So we established that there's like this really big wealth gap between
homeowners and renters.
But I kind of want to shift gears for a minute and talk about the differences
within the homeowner group itself.
Right. Right. Like, is everyone who owns a home like equally well off?
That's a great question. And the answer is no. Okay.
Not at all. I mean, home values vary drastically across the country,
even within the same city.
Location plays a huge role in determining how much your home is worth.
I mean, a condo in downtown Toronto is going to be worth a lot more than a bungalow
in rural Saskatchewan, for example.
Totally. So even within the homeowner category, there's a huge spectrum of wealth
based on where you live, Yeah.
What kind of property you have, even like the neighborhoods.
Precisely. It's really important to acknowledge that, you know, homeownership. Yeah.
While generally associated with a higher net worth. Right.
Doesn't guarantee, you know, everyone's going to have the same amount of wealth.
Right. It's not like a uniform thing.
No, no. There's a lot of variation within that group. Yeah. Remember that puzzle
analogy we talked about?
Right. This adds like another layer of complexity. Totally.
Highlighting that we need a more nuanced understanding of this wealth distribution.
And, you know, let's not forget the elephant in the room. Okay.
Or the missing piece of the puzzle, really, which is the ultra wealthy.
Right. Their absence from this data really skews the overall picture and potentially
hides how bad the wealth and equality in Canada really is. Absolutely.
The fact that the survey doesn't include the wealth of the top 1% and 0.1%,
that's a big problem. Yeah, huge limitation.
Yeah, it means we're just seeing this partial view of the landscape.
It's like a sliver. Which makes it much harder to develop, you know,
effective policies that are actually going to get to the root of the problem of wealth disparity.
It's like we're trying to like navigate a maze in the dark.
Exactly. Yeah. We have some clues.
Yeah. But without the full picture, we're kind of lost. You don't know where you're going.
So even though the report gives us some insights into like the financial health
of Canadian families, we need to remember its limits. Absolutely.
Yeah. And try to get a better grasp on how complex wealth distribution really is.
And I think that's a really important point. Yeah.
Like understanding those limits. Yeah. Is just as important as as analyzing
the data itself. Yeah, absolutely.
It helps us approach the issue with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Right. And look for more information to get that full picture. Exactly.
Exactly. So, yeah, this report, it's a
good starting point it's a stepping stone the stepping stone right not
the final destination yeah in our in our
quest to understand and really address yeah
wealth inequality in canada okay so
let's dive into some of the specifics of this report and see what other insights
we can find all right let's do it we'll break down the net worth figures by
age group by income level and try to get a better sense of how wealth is distributed
yeah across different demographics sounds good let's get to it. Let's do it.
Okay. So let's break down these net worth figures by age. And let's start with
those younger families where the main earner is under 35.
For those who own their homes, the median net worth in 2023 was $457,100.
And how does that compare to their renting counterparts? Well,
the median net worth for renters in that same age bracket was $44,000.
Oh, wow. Quite a difference, wouldn't you say? However, there's a nuance to
that $44,000 figure that's worth noting.
You mean there's more to the story than meets the eye? Exactly.
What's interesting is that a growing portion of that $44,000 for young renters
is actually tied to real estate. Interesting. Remember that trend we discussed earlier?
Even though they might not be buying their primary residence just yet,
they're dipping their toes into the real estate market in other ways. Right.
Yeah. So they're already recognizing the potential of real estate as a wealth-building
tool even at a younger age.
Precisely. It suggests that the allure of real estate as a path to wealth is
deeply ingrained, even among those who haven't yet achieved that traditional
milestone of homeownership.
It's like they're playing the long game, strategically positioning themselves
for future financial success.
OK, so shifting gears to the older generation, those aged 55 to 64,
what does the picture look like for them?
The numbers become even more striking for this group. The median net worth for
homeowners aged 55 to 64 is $873,400 up from $797,000 just four years ago. Wow.
So their wealth is growing at an even faster rate than the national average.
It seems like the longer you hold onto a property, the more it appreciates,
at least in the current market. That's a key observation.
And when you add pensions into the mix, the contrast between homeowners and
renters in this age group becomes even more pronounced.
Homeowners with pensions have a median net worth of $1.4 million.
Hold on, Lee, grab my calculator. That's a significant amount of money.
What about renters without pensions? How do they fare?
Renters in the same age group without pensions have a median net worth of $11,900.
Wow. It's a staggering disparity that highlights the long-term impact of homeownership,
especially when coupled with retirement savings.
Yeah, it paints a rather bleak picture for those who haven't managed to get
on the property ladder, especially as they approach retirement.
But what about those who simply can't afford to buy a home or choose not to?
What are their options for building wealth and achieving financial security?
That's the crucial question, isn't it? The report primarily focuses on homeownership
as the driving force behind wealth accumulation.
But it doesn't really delve deeply into alternative paths. Right.
It's almost as if the report itself reinforces this notion that homeownership
is the only viable route to financial stability, which might not be the complete picture.
Yeah, I see your point. It's like presenting one solution without acknowledging
that there might be other equally valid paths to financial well-being.
It would be valuable to see more research and discussion on alternative wealth
building strategies, especially considering the current climate of rising housing costs.
Absolutely. Future iterations of this report could benefit from exploring a
broader range of financial strategies, offering a more inclusive perspective on wealth creation.
For now, the dominant narrative remains. Homeownership significantly influences
financial well-being in Canada.
Okay, so we've established there's a substantial wealth gap between homeowners
and renters. But let's shift our focus for a moment.
What about the differences within the homeowner group itself?
Is everyone who owns a home equally well-off? That's an excellent question,
and the answer is a resounding no.
Home values vary drastically across the country, even within the same city.
Location plays a major role in determining how much your home is worth.
A condo in downtown Toronto is likely to have a much higher market value than
a bungalow in rural Saskatchewan, for example.
Right. So even within the homeowner category, there's a spectrum of wealth based
on factors like geography, property type and even neighborhood dynamics. Precisely.
It's crucial to acknowledge that homeownership, while generally associated with
higher net worth, doesn't guarantee a uniform level of wealth.
There's significant variation within that group. Remember that puzzle analogy
we talked about earlier?
Right. This adds another layer of complexity, highlighting the need for a more
nuanced understanding of wealth distribution.
And let's not forget the elephant in the room, or rather the missing piece of
the puzzle, the ultra wealthy.
Oh, right. Their absence from the survey data skews the overall picture,
potentially masking the true extent of wealth inequality in Canada. Absolutely.
The fact that the survey doesn't fully capture the wealth of the top 1% and
0.1% is a significant limitation. Right.
It means we're only seeing a partial view of the landscape, which makes it challenging
to develop effective policies to address the root causes of wealth disparity.
It's like trying to navigate a maze in the dark.
We have some clues, but without the full picture, it's difficult to find our way to a solution.
So while the report offers valuable insights into the financial health of Canadian
families, we need to acknowledge its limitations and strive for a more complete
understanding of the complexities of wealth distribution in our country. Couldn't agree more.
Recognizing the limitations of the data is just as crucial as analyzing the data itself. Right.
It allows us to approach the issue with a healthy dose of skepticism and seek
out further information to complete the picture.
Absolutely. It's about recognizing that this report is a stepping stone,
not the final destination in our quest to understand and address wealth inequality in Canada.
But enough about the data itself.
I'm curious to explore the real world implications of these findings.
What can be done to address the wealth gap and create a fairer system where
everyone has the opportunity to prosper, regardless of their housing status?
Yes, that's the million dollar question or perhaps the billion dollar question,
considering the scale of wealth we're discussing.
And while there are no easy answers, I think there are several key areas we can focus on.
First and foremost, we need to tackle the issue of housing affordability head on.
Right. You're talking about the ever-increasing cost of housing,
right? Yes. It's a major barrier to entry for aspiring homeowners,
particularly young people and those with lower incomes.
What kind of solutions are we talking about here?
We need policies that promote a wider range of affordable housing options,
not just for ownership, but for renting as well.
Think increased investment in social housing incentives for developers to prioritize
affordable units and exploring innovative models like rent-to-own programs that
bridge the gap between renting and owning.
So it's about creating a system that's more accessible and inclusive,
offering viable pathways to housing stability, regardless of one's income level or background.
Exactly. Yeah. It's not enough to simply acknowledge the problem.
We need concrete actions that level the playing field and create opportunities
for everyone to participate in the housing market, whether as owners or renters. That makes sense.
But focusing solely on housing might be too narrow a lens.
What about other aspects of financial well-being? How do we address the broader
issue of wealth inequality itself?
That's where the conversation needs to expand to beyond just housing policy.
We need to address wealth inequality head on through comprehensive measures
that promote fairness and opportunity for all Canadians.
This involves looking at things like our tax system, social safety nets,
and access to financial education and resources.
So a multi-pronged approach that tackles the issue from multiple angles rather
than relying on a single solution. Precisely.
It's about creating a system that supports economic mobility,
encourages responsible wealth creation, and ensures that the benefits of a strong
economy are shared more equitably among all Canadians.
It sounds like a tall order, but it's a conversation we need to have.
After all, a nation's prosperity should be measured not just by its overall
wealth, but by how that wealth is distributed and how it empowers all its citizens.
I couldn't agree more. It's about ensuring that everyone has a fair shot at
achieving financial security and building a better future for themselves and their families.
But while these policy discussions are crucial, there's another perhaps more
immediate question that's been lingering in my mind. Okay, I'm intrigued.
What's on your mind? We've talked extensively about the increasing desire for
homeownership, even among those who can't yet afford it.
This begs the question, could this fervent pursuit of real estate,
fueled by the perception that it's the only path to wealth, be inadvertently inflating a bubble?
And if so, what are the potential consequences of that bubble bursting?
Ooh, now that's a thought-provoking question.
It's like we're standing on the edge of a cliff admiring the view,
but not fully grasping the potential dangers lurking below.
A real estate bubble burst would have far-reaching consequences,
wouldn't it? Indeed it would.
Remember the financial crises of the past, like the dot-com bubble in the early
2000s and the housing crisis of 2008?
Those events serve as stark reminders of the devastating impact that asset bubbles
can have on individuals' families and the economy as a whole.
Oh, yeah, those are some scary precedents.
So what can we do to mitigate the risks associated with a potential real estate bubble?
Is it even possible to prevent it from bursting altogether?
There's no simple answer, and economists have differing opinions on the best course of action.
Some advocate for government intervention through measures like tighter lending
regulations or increased taxes on real estate speculation to cool down the market.
So it's about finding the right balance, isn't it?
We don't want to stifle economic growth or make it even harder for first-time
buyers to enter the market, but we also need to be mindful of the risks associated
with unchecked speculation and runaway price increases.
It's a complex equation with no easy solutions. Yeah.
However, the first step is recognizing the potential dangers and engaging in
open and honest discussions about how to address them.
Ignoring the issue won't make it disappear. We need to be proactive and consider
all possible scenarios.
Absolutely. It's about taking a long-term perspective,
Prioritizing sustainable growth over short-term gains and ensuring that the
housing market serves its intended purpose.
Providing safe, affordable, and accessible housing for all Canadians.
It really is like walking a tightrope. Yeah.
On the one hand, we want a strong real estate market that contributes to the economy. Yeah.
But on the other hand, we don't want to, like, fuel this bubble that could blow
up in everyone's face. Exactly.
So what can we actually do? Right. to find that sweet spot.
Well, one approach that often comes up is implementing tighter lending regulations.
Okay. So this could involve things like stricter stress tests for borrowers
to make sure they can actually handle higher interest rates or requiring bigger
down payments to reduce the risk.
Right. So making sure that people aren't taking on too much debt,
especially if those interest rates go up. Exactly. Wouldn't that make it even harder?
For like first-time buyers who are already struggling with affordability. That's a valid point.
Yeah. That's why any changes have to be really carefully considered, right? Right.
So maybe alongside those stricter regulations, we could have some targeted programs
to help first-time buyers. Okay.
So like â Think like a government-backed loans â Okay.
â with lower interest rates or some innovative savings plans â Right.
â to help people reach that down payment goal. So it's about like helping people
become homeowners responsibly without leaving out those who are just starting
out. Making it accessible.
But what about the investment side of things, right? Okay, yeah.
We talked about how everyone's like jumping into the real estate game,
even those who are renting.
Yeah. Is there anything we can do to like cool down that frenzy a little bit?
Well, some experts have proposed using tax measures to curb real estate speculation.
This could involve things like increasing taxes on capital gains from flipping
houses or introducing a higher property tax rate for owners who aren't residents.
Interesting. So it's about kind of discouraging those who are just in it for
a quick buck. Yeah, just trying to make a quick profit.
And really prioritizing the people who actually want to live there.
Yeah, who are looking for a home.
It also seems like there's a role for financial education here as well, right? Absolutely.
If people are only focused on real estate because they don't know...
About other ways to invest. Yeah. Wouldn't it make sense to like expand their financial literacy?
Totally. I mean, giving people the knowledge and the tools to explore different
investment options could help them diversify their portfolios and not be so
reliant on real estate as their only path to wealth.
It's about shifting the mindset from like real estate or bust to something that's
a bit more balanced and informed. Absolutely.
Yeah. It feels like there's no like easy answer.
Yeah. There's no magic bullet. Unfortunately, it's about finding that right mix. Right.
Right. Of policies and education to make the housing market stable and fair,
but also making sure that everyone has a shot at financial well-being.
Yeah. It's about, you know, recognizing the complexity of the issue.
Yeah. Avoiding any, you know, knee jerk reactions and really focusing on on
thoughtful evidence based decision making.
Right. And I think you said it best earlier. It's about having these open and
honest conversations to really understand like all sides of the issue and find
solutions that work for everyone.
Exactly. I mean, this deep dive into homeownership, wealth and this whole potential
bubble has been a wild ride. Yeah. It's been a lot to unpack.
We've seen some crazy stats.
We've gone into the weeds of wealth distribution in Canada. And we've explored
all these different solutions, like policy changes, education.
But I think the most important thing is it's brought up all these really important
questions that I hope our listeners will really think about. Absolutely.
And sometimes, you know, the most valuable thing you take away from a deep dive
isn't, you know, the answer.
Right. But it's those thought-provoking questions that make you really want to explore further.
Yeah, it makes you dig deeper. Yeah. and with that,
I think it's probably time to wrap things up. Okay. So as we wrap up this episode,
I want to leave everyone with one final thought.
Okay. Something to really chew on.
We talked about how this stat scan report is limited.
Right. Especially because it doesn't fully account for the wealth of the super rich. Metro wealthy.
Yeah. Imagine if we actually had a complete picture, one that showed exactly what the top 1% owns.
Right. The 0.1%, even the 0.01%. Yeah, all those missing pieces.
Would it change how we understand this whole wealth gap? Yeah.
Would we be looking at totally different solutions?
Yeah, that's a good question. Would it start a national conversation about redistributing wealth?
Yeah. It's something to think about, to research, to talk about. Definitely.
Lots to ponder. And who knows? Yeah. Maybe it's something we'll come back to in a future deep dive.
It could be. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive. We'll see you next time
for another exploration of a topic that matters.
Until then, keep learning, keep asking questions, and keep diving deep.