The housing minister says his government is ‘very much looking’ at making changes in the area of short-term rentals through the use of the federal tax system.

Housing Minister Sean Fraser confirmed his government’s intent to implement measures to reduce the number of residences being used by owners as short-term rentals.

“I think we have opportunities to reduce the number of units used for this purpose and to increase the number of units available in general for the population,” Mr. Fraser said in French to reporters on Nov. 20.

The day before the Liberals were set to present their fall budget update, the minister was asked by reporters about his government’s intention to target property owners who use services like Airbnb.