Several financial assistance programs exist in 2025 to support home buyers in Quebec and other provinces. Becoming a homeowner can indeed seem out of reach, especially with fluctuating prices and bank interest rates. Whether at the federal, provincial, or municipal level, discover initiatives aimed at making the purchase of your home more accessible by reducing certain costs. Tax credits, subsidies, or advantageous loans: discover interesting tools to make your real estate project a reality.
Programs for first-time buyers in 2025
The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)
The Home Ownership Access Program aims to facilitate obtaining a first home in 2025. The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) allows a taxpayer to withdraw up to $35,000 from their RRSPs (Registered Retirement Savings Plans) to use as a down payment. If a couple of buyers purchases their first property together, they can combine their HBP up to $70,000.
The FHSA
The First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is a tax-free savings account intended for the purchase of a first property, available since April 2023. It is aimed at Canadians aged 18 to 71 wishing to acquire their first home. Participants can invest in various assets, benefiting from a tax deduction on contributions and tax exemption on gains. The contribution limit is $8,000 per year, with a maximum of $40,000 over the account’s lifetime. Withdrawals for purchasing a first home are non-taxable, but the account must be used or closed within 15 years of its opening. The FHSA offers an advantageous alternative for saving for a first real estate investment, complementary to the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP).
First-time home buyers’ tax credit
Since January 2009, this plan has been established allowing first-time buyers to deduct up to $5,000 from their taxable income for the year of purchase. If your partner has not lived in their first property during the four preceding years, you can share this deduction on line 369 of your T1 as you wish.
Each province also offers tax reduction plans and fees at the land registry office, but definitions of first purchase vary as well as rules for partners who have already purchased property. With the tax credit, you are entitled to a tax credit of up to $1,400 for a first property.
Visit the Revenu Québec website on the subject: https://www.revenuquebec.ca/fr/citoyens/credits-dimpot/credit-dimpot-pour-achat-dune-habitation/
Visit the Canada Revenue Agency website:
Eco-responsible home: benefit from a partial reimbursement of your CMHC mortgage insurance premium
The CMHC Eco Plus program is a federal initiative designed to encourage first-time buyers to opt for purchasing an energy-efficient home. If you are considering acquiring your first real estate property, this program offers you an interesting financial advantage while helping you contribute to the fight against pollution. By choosing a home that meets high energy efficiency standards, you can benefit from a 25% reimbursement of your CMHC mortgage loan insurance premium. By reducing your carbon footprint, you also participate in slowing climate change while enjoying a home that is both efficient and comfortable. The steps to benefit from this assistance are simple: you just need to fill out a form and provide the necessary documents. You have up to two years after closing your loan to make your request. If you aspire to a home that respects both the environment and your budget, CMHC Eco Plus is an excellent opportunity to start.
The program for new homes in Quebec
When you acquire a new home in Quebec, whether by purchase, construction, or customization, you may be eligible for a reimbursement of the provincial GST or the federal portion of HST. It is essential to note that reimbursement conditions may vary according to the specificities of each province in Canada.
Regarding Quebec, the criteria and application process for reimbursement for new homes are specific to the province. These criteria include aspects such as the deadline for submitting the application, the maximum amount eligible for reimbursement, and specific conditions related to paying GST/HST when purchasing or constructing the home. It is important to inquire precisely about these procedures to fully benefit from the reimbursement available for purchasing a new home in Quebec. Don’t hesitate to consult the Revenu Québec website on the subject.
The Novoclimat program
For your first home, do you want to combine comfort, savings, and environmental respect? The Novoclimat program is for you. Developed by the Quebec Ministry of Environment, Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, it encourages the construction of more energy-efficient new homes. A Novoclimat home consumes on average 20% less energy compared to standard construction. Your energy expenses are thus guaranteed to be reduced in your future home. As a first-time buyer, Novoclimat also allows you to receive financial assistance of $4,000. To benefit from these advantages, it is advisable to use one of the contractors certified by the program.
Eco-responsible home: benefit from additional assistance
In an era where ecological homes are gaining popularity, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers a reimbursement on insurance premiums of up to 25% if your house or condominium meets very specific criteria. Generally, this amount applies to new constructions certified Novoclimat, Energy Star, LEED, Built Green, or R-2000. If you are accessing property ownership for the first time, additional assistance of $2,000 may be granted, for a total of $4,000.
Municipal programs in Quebec
Home purchase assistance programs vary considerably from one municipality to another. It is therefore essential to consult local regulations and check with your city hall for programs in effect.
Here are some programs that exist in certain municipalities in Quebec:
Montreal city reimbursement
Montreal’s Residential Acquisition Support Program offers two types of financial assistance: a lump sum ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for purchasing new properties, depending on location and family composition, and a reimbursement of transfer duties (welcome tax) for existing properties, specifically intended for families with children. This program aims to support new buyers and families in their real estate purchase project in Montreal.
Consult the City of Montreal website to better understand eligibility conditions.
Accès Famille Program – Quebec City
In Quebec City, there is another program that provides financial assistance for the down payment necessary for acquiring a new home for eligible families in Quebec.
The Accès Famille program, offered by Quebec City, is financial assistance intended for eligible families to facilitate the down payment necessary for purchasing a new home. This support takes the form of an interest-free loan with no payments. If the acquired house is Novoclimat certified, the program offers an additional bonus, reducing the mortgage by 3.5%. The process includes mortgage pre-authorization, obtaining an eligibility certificate, searching for an eligible new home (up to a maximum price of $370,000, taxes and rebates included), and applying for the access credit, which represents 5.5% of the purchase price. For Novoclimat homes, an additional increase of 3.5% is granted.
More information on this program here.
New construction and recycling for residential purposes – Quebec City
Quebec City’s subsidy program for new construction and recycling for residential purposes offers financial assistance to property owners carrying out construction or renovations to create rental housing. This program is aimed at properties located in a revitalization zone or in the Saint-Roch sector. Conditions include:
Creation of a maximum of 6 rental units.
Starting work within 12 months and completion within 24 months following confirmation.
Work executed under the supervision of an architect who is a member of the Ordre des architectes du Québec.
The subsidy can cover 30% of eligible costs, up to $30,000 per housing unit, and up to $35,000 per rental housing unit or $25,000 per condominium unit in the Saint-Roch sector. It is imperative to request and obtain written confirmation before starting work to be eligible for this assistance.
For more information on this program, click here.
The Home Construction Program in Gatineau
This program is implemented to revitalize Hull Island by encouraging the construction of new housing. It is particularly attractive for future homeowners, especially first-time buyers: significant subsidies covering 35% to 75% of eligible costs are offered. Projects include social, affordable, or family housing, which can benefit from enhanced subsidies. An additional subsidy of $10,000 per housing unit up to $40,000 per building is for example available for small buildings of 2 to 3 floors in certain sectors.
Procedures for benefiting from this financial assistance are simplified, as the building permit serves as a subsidy application. For first-time buyers, the Home Construction Subsidy Program in Gatineau is an opportunity to build a first home in a thriving setting, combining financial advantages and quality of life.
The Program for Home Ownership Access and Residential Renovation in the Kativik Region
Are you considering becoming a homeowner in Quebec’s Far North? The Program promoting home ownership access and residential renovation in the Kativik region could well help you realize your project. This government program is designed to support Nunavik residents in their property acquisition endeavors. Whether you want to buy an existing house, build a new one, or renovate your current home, you could benefit from significant financial assistance to cover part of the costs, which can reach 75% of eligible expenses. Financial assistance equivalent to 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $87,500, can also be granted for renovating a house. Work must cost at least $20,000 to be eligible. This program also offers personalized support to guide you through all stages of your project. Click here to learn more about this financial assistance.
- In New Brunswick
The Home Ownership Access Program
This initiative offers a repayable loan that can reach 40% of the purchase price of an existing house, including closing costs and minor repairs. For building a new house, the loan can reach $75,000, without exceeding 50% of the total construction cost. Households with income below $30,000 can benefit from a 0% interest rate on their loan. For higher incomes, the interest rate increases progressively. These loans are amortized over a 25-year period. Applicants do not have to provide an initial down payment to be eligible for this New Brunswick real estate program.
- In Ontario
Land transfer tax rebate
This program is interesting for first-time buyers wishing to acquire real estate property in Ontario. It allows for considerably reducing initial costs related to purchasing a first property through reimbursement of an amount that can go up to $4,000 in land transfer taxes. These provincial taxes must be paid when purchasing real estate property. This initiative aims to help buyers who are acquiring their first home deal with initial costs related to real estate investment. This program offers total or partial reimbursement of land transfer taxes.
- In British Columbia
First-time home buyer exemption British Columbia also offers significant financial support to first-time buyers through exemption from property transfer tax, a significant expense when purchasing real estate property. This measure reduces costs associated with buying a first home, particularly for low-value properties. Depending on the property’s market value and size, you can benefit from partial or total exemption from this tax. Discover the details of this program on the Government of British Columbia portal.