There are special benefits to being a First Time Home Buyer. Your minimum down payment on your home can be 5%. If you are not a First Time Buyer, your minimum down payment must be 10%.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Commission’s definition of a First Time Home Buyer is:
Anyone who has not owned a home as their principle residence either jointly of separately, in the past FIVE years. Where there is more than one buyer, only one person has to be a first time home buyer.
You may still be eligible with the following exceptions:
A marital (or common law) break-up
A change in geographical location for employment purposes, voluntary or involuntary
A loss of equity has resulted from a previous sale
Other hardship applications - case by case