Is the federal Foreign Buyer Ban still in effect?

Direct answer

Yes — the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act ("Foreign Buyer Ban") took effect January 1, 2023 and was extended by Order in Council to remain in effect until at least January 1, 2027. The Act prohibits non-Canadians (any individual who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act) from purchasing certain residential property in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) and Census Agglomerations (CAs) — which covers virtually all of Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and most of the Lower Mainland and BC Interior. "Residential property" includes detached houses, semi-detached, condominiums, and buildings of three or fewer dwelling units. Penalties for breach: up to $10,000 fine plus a court-ordered sale of the property at no profit to the buyer. Key exemptions (under the Regulations) include international students meeting income/study-tax conditions, certain temporary work-permit holders, refugees, and a Canadian-citizen spouse exception. The Act is SEPARATE from BC's 20% Foreign Buyer Additional PTT — the federal Act is a prohibition; the BC tax applies to transactions that are otherwise federally permitted.