Some have been critical of the ban, saying it is unclear what impact it will have on Canada's housing market.In late December - 11 days before the ban came into effect - the Canadian government announced some exemptions to the regulation, including for international students who have been in the country for at least five years, refugee claimants and people with temporary work permits.In a statement, federal housing minister Ahmed Hussen said the ban is meant to discourage buyers from looking at homes as commodities instead of a place to live and grow a family.The average home price in two of Canada's largest cities - Toronto and Vancouver - has topped the C$1m mark, often putting them at the list of top 10 most unaffordable cities in the world.Other countries have enacted different measures to curb foreign homeownership, including by implementing designated restricted zones where non-residents are barred from purchasing homes, or bringing in specific fees on foreign buyers."