Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has decided to crack down on British expats as he bans them from buying homes in Canada.
Mr Trudeau has made the decision as part of a wider ban on foreign nationals buying up property in any part of Canada.
In an announcement, the Canadian government said only temporary workers, asylum seekers, and some international students would be able to purchase property between now and 2027.
As a result, thousands of UK expats living in the country could be affected under a scheme that is designed to stop houses from falling into a category known as a “speculative financial asset class”.
In a statement, Canada’s finance minister Chrystia Freeland said: “By extending the foreign buyer plan, we will ensure houses are used as homes for Canadian families to live in and do not become a speculative financial asset class.
“The government is intent on using all possible tools to make housing more affordable for Canadians across the country.”
Associate professor at the University of British Columbia Tom Davidoff claimed it was hard to believe the ban had been successful.
He told The Telegraph: “In the most affordability-challenged markets, it’s very hard to believe there was a lot of impact because there were so few foreign buyers to begin with.”
Canada isn’t the only country where British expats are facing a challenging time. In France, they have suffered a blow after a 90-day visa rule was thrown out.
Last month, the country’s Constitutional Council rejected an amendment to an immigration bill that would have seen the 90-rule on British expats scrapped and ruled that it was unconstitutional.
Under the proposal, Britons with a second home in France would have automatically been granted a long-stay visa, increasing their flexibility.
Under the rule, Britons and other non-EU nationals can’t remain within the European Union for more than 90 days within a 180-day period.
The rejection of the rule came just days after the UK struck a new agreement with France making it easier for French children to come to Britain on school trips. The new rules simplify the process for teachers and schools who want to bring their children to the UK.
In a statement following the announcement, Britain’s Ambassador to France Dame Menna Rawlings said: “My first-ever overseas trip was on a school exchange to France when I was 13 years old.
“With France, it was love at first sight, and the start of a lifelong adventure of travel and exploring different languages and cultures.
“So I’m delighted that we are easing the travel of school groups to the UK in line with mutual commitments made at the March Summit between our Prime Minister and President Macron.”
