Ontario Premier Doug Ford invites Justin Trudeau to summit on housing affordability

TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford is inviting the prime minister to a summit on housing affordability.

Ford made the request in a letter to Justin Trudeau on Friday, saying he needs the federal government’s help to tackle the rising price of home ownership.

The meeting with Ford, Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark and the mayors and regional chairs of big cities is set for Dec. 16.

Ford says his goal for the summit is to work on solutions to address the “crisis” of housing affordability so more families can become homeowners.

In addition to the summit, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government has said it’s launching a housing affordability task force that will also look into the issue.

A spokeswoman for Trudeau did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

2:15 Conservatives call for action on Canada’s real estate market, including limits on foreign investors buying homes