The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday, Oct. 7, edition that the traditional path of education, stable employment and homeownership is increasingly dictated by intergenerational wealth in Canada. The Globe's guest columnist Preet Banerjee writes that incremental changes and a steady rise in home prices have made it difficult for many prospective homeowners to afford a home. The recent government efforts to assist Canadian homebuyers have sparked divided reactions. These measures make it possible to take on more debt for a longer time. Policies that increase affordability for some can inadvertently make housing less affordable for others, deepening the socio-economic divide. Recent data highlight the stratification of Canadian wealth. In a report from CIBC Capital Markets with data up to mid-2024, the proportion of first-time homebuyers receiving family help has increased 55 per cent since 2015. The average gift amount for first-time buyers nationally has soared to $115,000, a 73-per-cent increase since 2019. In the more expensive provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, average gifts for first-time homebuyers are $128,000 and $204,000. As housing prices boil, Canadians are taking on staggering levels of debt.