A first-time buyer can stack FEDERAL programs — the FHSA (up to $40,000 tax-free), the HBP (up to $60,000 from an RRSP), the $1,500 HBTC, and a new GST rebate of up to $50,000 on a new home — then PROVINCIAL help, which ranges from land-transfer-tax exemptions (BC, Ontario) to interest-free down-payment loans (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick). Alberta and Manitoba have no dedicated provincial program (only the federal ones apply).
Federal programs (apply everywhere)
FHSA (First Home Savings Account) In force
$8,000/year, $40,000 lifetime cap. Contributions are tax-deductible, qualifying withdrawals are tax-free. For residents aged 18–71 with no principal residence in the prior 4 calendar years.
Source ↗HBP (Home Buyers’ Plan — RRSP) In force
Withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSP per person, repayable over 15 years (5-year grace period for a first withdrawal between 2022 and 2025). First-time buyers only.
Source ↗Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC, line 31270) In force
Non-refundable credit: claim up to $10,000 → $1,500 tax relief (15%). Shareable between eligible spouses.
Source ↗GST/HST new-home rebate (first-time buyer) In force
NEW (March 2025 budget, in force): up to $50,000 GST rebate (or federal part of HST) for a first-time buyer of a NEW home ≤ $1.5M. On top of the classic new-home rebate (which phases out above $350,000).
Source ↗First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (CMHC) Ended
ENDED. No new applications since March 21, 2024; no approvals after March 31, 2024. (Listed to avoid confusion — no longer available.)
Source ↗Provincial programs
Quebec
- Home buyers’ tax credit (QC) — Non-refundable provincial credit up to $1,400 (form TP-752.HA), first-time buyer. Source ↗
- Refundable home-access credit (NEW 2026) — From 2026: REFUNDABLE credit of the transfer duty ("welcome tax") paid to the municipality, up to $5,875. Source ↗
Montreal also offers the Accès Habitation program (interest-free down-payment loans) — amounts to confirm on montreal.ca.
Ontario
- Land transfer tax refund (first-time buyer) — Up to $4,000 of the provincial tax (exempts the first $368,000). Citizen/PR, never owned anywhere, occupy within 9 months. Source ↗
- Expanded HST relief on new homes — Expanded in 2025; potentially large HST savings on an eligible new home (combinable with development-charge cuts). Source ↗
Toronto also refunds its municipal tax (MLTT) to first-time buyers, up to $4,475 (confirm on toronto.ca).
British Columbia
- First Time Home Buyers’ Program (PTT exemption) — Property transfer tax (PTT) exemption for an eligible first-time buyer: historically full ≤ $500,000, partial to $525,000 (caps to verify at the government source). Source ↗
Nova Scotia
- Down Payment Assistance Program — INTEREST-FREE loan of 5% of the purchase price, repayable over 10 years. Pre-approved first-time buyer, household income < $145,000, price caps by region (e.g. $570,000 in Halifax/East Hants). Source ↗
Saskatchewan
- First-Time Homebuyers’ Tax Credit (SK) — Since 2025: non-refundable credit of 10.5% × $15,000 = up to $1,575 (SK428 return). Same eligibility as the federal credit. Source ↗
New Brunswick
- Homeownership Assistance Program — Repayable loan up to 40% of the price (or $75,000 for construction). 0% interest if income < $30,000. For households with income < $40,000 who are first-time owners or in sub-standard housing. Source ↗
Alberta
No dedicated provincial program — only the federal programs above apply.
No specific provincial first-time buyer program identified — only the federal programs apply. (Good to know: Alberta charges no land transfer tax.)
Manitoba
No dedicated provincial program — only the federal programs above apply.
No first-time buyer rebate/exemption on the Manitoba land transfer tax — only the federal programs apply. (Manitoba Housing targets low-income households.)
Methodology and limits
- Programs confirmed in force or ended at the official source on 2026-06-26. Rules and amounts change — confirm your eligibility with your lawyer/notary or mortgage broker.
- To verify manually: exact caps of BC’s first-time buyer program (gov.bc.ca unreadable from our tool), Toronto’s municipal rebate and Montreal’s Accès Habitation program, and the detail of Quebec’s new refundable credit (2026).
- The CMHC First-Time Home Buyer Incentive is ENDED (since March 2024) — listed only to avoid confusion.
- The fees and land transfer tax themselves are covered on our "Closing costs by province" page.
Programs verified at the official source on 2026-06-26. Rules change — confirm your eligibility.