CMHC paid $31.7M in bonuses during housing crisis, records show

Despite Canada's housing crisis, CMHC awarded $31.7 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses last year, including $3.5 million to 79 executives, sparking criticism from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Polar Herald 2026-07-07 19:38

CMHC paid $31.7M in bonuses during housing crisis, records show — CMHC paid $31.7M in bonuses amid housing crisis, records show

CMHC bonuses revealed amid affordability crisis

OTTAWA — As Canadians grapple with an unprecedented affordability and housing crisis, Canada's national housing agency handed its employees tens of millions of dollars in bonuses, according to data obtained via an order paper question filed by Conservative MP Andrew Scheer.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) dished out a staggering $31.7 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses to its employees last year, with $3.5 million going to 79 executives and $28.2 million to lower-ranking staff.

Taxpayers Federation calls out 'pencil-pushers'

Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) Federal Director Franco Terrazzano criticized the bonuses, noting this isn't the first time the issue has been raised. “If your organization’s goal is making homes affordable, your C-suite shouldn’t be taking millions in taxpayer-funded bonuses while Canadians can’t afford homes,” he said. “The housing minister promised to review CMHC bonuses years ago and the CMHC has handed out bigger taxpayer-funded bonuses every year since.”

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Pandemic-era bonuses drew scrutiny

The CTF first highlighted CMHC bonuses in 2022, revealing $48 million in pandemic-era bonuses. That prompted former Housing Minister Sean Fraser to promise a review of the agency’s bonus policies. However, the latest data shows bonuses have continued to rise.

According to the CMHC data, $31,720,451 in bonuses were distributed last year, with $3,545,057 allocated to 79 agency executives—including chief officers, vice-presidents, and directors—and $28,175,394 to non-executive employees.

Housing pressure intensifies

The agency’s own data underscores the severity of Canada’s housing crisis. Nearly half of Canadians now spend more than 50% of their income on housing, up from 39% in 2019. Terrazzano remarked, “If bureaucrats taking bonuses made homes more affordable, every Canadian would own a home with an in-ground pool plus a cottage at the lake. Canadians need more homes, not more highly-paid pencil-pushers rubber-stamping bonuses for each other.”