If you’re buying your first home in Canada in 2026, the Canadian and provincial governments have more programs available to help you than at almost any previous point in history. The challenge isn’t that the programs don’t exist — it’s that they’re scattered across federal and provincial levels, most people only know about one or two of them, and leaving any of them on the table means leaving real money behind.

This guide brings them all together. Some of these programs deliver savings of a few hundred dollars; others can put $20,000 or more back in your pocket. Here is every current first-time homebuyer program in Canada, clearly explained.

Note: Program details, thresholds, and eligibility can change. Confirm current program terms with CRA and your provincial government before purchasing.

Federal Programs

First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

The FHSA allows first-time buyers to contribute up to $8,000/year (lifetime maximum $40,000) to a registered account that is tax-deductible on contribution and completely tax-free on withdrawal for a qualifying home purchase. Couples can each open their own FHSA for a combined $80,000 in savings room. No repayment is required.

Estimated value: Varies by contribution level and marginal tax rate, but full FHSA utilization by a couple over 5 years can deliver $20,000–$26,000 in tax savings plus tax-free investment growth.

RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)

Allows first-time buyers to withdraw up to $35,000 from their RRSP tax-free for a qualifying home purchase (up to $70,000 per couple). The withdrawn amount must be repaid over 15 years; unreturned amounts are added to taxable income.

Estimated value: Depends on your RRSP balance. The primary benefit is tax-free use of retirement savings as a down payment bridge — the deduction was already received when contributions were made.

First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC)

A federal non-refundable tax credit of $10,000 applied to the purchase of a qualifying first home. At the federal tax rate of 15%, this translates to a tax reduction of $1,500.

Estimated value: $1,500 reduction in federal income tax in the year of purchase.

How to claim: Enter $10,000 on line 31270 of your federal income tax return for the year you purchased the home.

GST/HST New Housing Rebate

If you purchase a newly built home (or substantially renovate an existing one) as your primary residence, you may qualify for a rebate on a portion of the GST/HST paid. The federal portion of the rebate is available for new homes priced up to $450,000, with a phase-out between $350,000 and $450,000. Above $450,000, no federal rebate is available.

The provincial portion of the HST rebate (where applicable — Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland have HST) has separate thresholds and calculations set provincially.

Estimated value: Up to $6,300 in federal GST rebate for eligible new homes. Provincial HST rebate amounts vary.

Provincial Programs

Ontario

Land Transfer Tax (LTT) Refund: Ontario charges a provincial land transfer tax on all property purchases. First-time buyers receive a refund of the Ontario LTT up to a maximum of $4,000 — effectively eliminating the tax on home purchases up to approximately $368,000, and reducing it for higher-priced homes.

Toronto Land Transfer Tax (MLTT) Refund: Buyers in Toronto pay an additional municipal land transfer tax on top of the provincial one. First-time buyers in Toronto are eligible for a rebate of the MLTT up to a maximum of $4,475 — a significant additional saving unique to Toronto buyers.

Combined Ontario + Toronto LTT saving for first-time buyers in Toronto: up to $8,475.

British Columbia

First Time Home Buyers’ Program (BC): First-time buyers in BC may be exempt from the BC Property Transfer Tax (PTT) on homes priced up to $500,000, with a partial exemption on homes between $500,000 and $525,000. Above $525,000, no PTT exemption applies.

Estimated value: Up to $8,000 in PTT savings on a $500,000 home.

BC Newly Built Home Exemption: Separate from the first-time buyer exemption, this program offers a PTT exemption for newly built homes priced up to $1,100,000, regardless of first-time buyer status. First-time buyers purchasing new construction in BC may qualify for both exemptions and should confirm with a real estate lawyer which applies.

Alberta

Alberta has no provincial land transfer tax — a significant structural advantage that reduces closing costs for all Alberta buyers. The only land title transfer fee in Alberta is a modest registration fee, not a percentage-based tax.

First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (Alberta): As of 2026, Alberta offers supplementary programs through Alberta Affordable Housing, including supports for first-time buyers in specific income brackets. Check with Alberta.ca for current program availability and thresholds.

Quebec

Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (Quebec): Quebec has its own provincial first-time home buyers’ tax credit that mirrors the federal structure. Quebec first-time buyers can claim a provincial non-refundable tax credit of $750 in addition to the federal HBTC.

Land Transfer Tax (Welcome Tax): Quebec municipalities charge a land transfer tax (commonly called the “Welcome Tax” or taxe de bienvenue). Unlike Ontario and BC, Quebec does not offer a provincial first-time buyer rebate on this tax — though some municipalities offer their own rebates for first-time buyers. Check with the specific municipality.

Manitoba

First Time Home Buyer Incentive (Manitoba): Manitoba provides a land transfer tax rebate for first-time buyers up to a maximum of $4,500 — covering the full LTT on homes purchased up to approximately $240,000, with a partial rebate on higher-priced properties.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has no provincial land transfer tax, similar to Alberta — reducing closing costs for all buyers in the province.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia charges a deed transfer tax (equivalent to a land transfer tax) at the municipal level; rates vary by municipality. There is currently no provincial first-time buyer rebate program specific to deed transfer tax in Nova Scotia, though federal programs (HBTC, FHSA, HBP) fully apply.

Other Provinces and Territories

New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the territories each have their own land registration fee structures and varying access to federal programs. First-time buyers in these regions should verify current provincial programs with their provincial government and confirm with a local real estate lawyer.

How to Stack These Programs

The most financially savvy first-time buyers in Canada treat these programs as stackable — not mutually exclusive. A first-time buyer in Toronto purchasing a new construction condo, for example, might simultaneously access:

• The First Home Savings Account tax deductions and tax-free withdrawal
• The RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan withdrawal
• The First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit ($1,500)
• The GST/HST New Housing Rebate (federal and provincial portions)
• The Ontario Land Transfer Tax refund ($4,000)
• The Toronto Municipal Land Transfer Tax refund ($4,475)

Used together, these programs can reduce effective closing costs and increase effective down payment power by $15,000 to $30,000 or more — a meaningful advantage that is entirely available to first-time buyers who know the programs exist.

At RateFair, helping first-time buyers understand and access every available program is part of what we do. We make sure you’re not leaving any support on the table before you make the biggest purchase of your life. Connect with the RateFair team today — and go into your first home purchase knowing every tool that’s available to you.