I assume this is more generally to soften up property rights, and give more managerial control of land to the state. I have a hard time seeing this just being the result of activists.

Because given demographic trends, who's going buy up all the boomer and gen X houses otherwise? Land claims would make these undesirable to foreign investment and speculation. Canadians might give up on owning homes, but if it keeps crashing the value of real estate maybe renting will become more affordable.

By 1960, about 70% of Canadians owned a home by age 30, now that demographic is below 30% and falling.