Good morning! Welcome back to Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news related to residential and commercial construction and infrastructure, and related government initiatives.

Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-03-16
End Date: 2025-03-22

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Federal Investment in Community Buildings Across Canada

On March 22, 2025, Minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith announced a federal investment of $153.8 million to support 70 projects through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. The initiative aims to create energy-efficient and climate-resilient spaces across Canada, enhancing public spaces for families and supporting local job creation.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Credential Recognition for Skilled Newcomers

Chris Bittle announced up to $52 million in funding for 16 projects under the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, aiming to facilitate employment for internationally trained professionals in healthcare and construction. This funding will support over 4,600 participants, improving credential recognition systems and accelerating workforce integration.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Sustainable Wood Construction in Quebec

Canada and Quebec have invested over $8.5 million in four green construction projects, promoting the use of low-carbon Canadian wood. Projects include a 20-unit residential mass timber building and a 21-storey mass timber structure, aiming to modernize production processes and enhance affordable housing.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Water and Wastewater Infrastructure for Housing

Minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith announced $369.5 million in funding through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to support essential infrastructure for new housing supply. This investment will enable the construction of over 110,230 housing units and improve access to drinking water and wastewater capacity.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Toronto Housing Investments

The federal government and City of Toronto announced up to $2.55 billion in loans through the Apartment Construction Loan Program to build over 4,800 rental units. The initiative includes $1,000 affordable units and aims to accelerate housing delivery, alongside a commitment to address homelessness with a $25.8 million investment.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

Agreement for Housing Infrastructure Fund in British Columbia

Canada and British Columbia finalized an agreement providing $250 million in federal funding for the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, supporting densification and infrastructure improvements.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Sustainable Jobs Stream for Apprenticeships

The Sustainable Jobs Stream supports green training for journeypersons and apprentices in Red Seal trades, aligning with Canada's Sustainable Jobs Plan.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Investment in Skilled Trades Apprenticeships

Minister Steven MacKinnon announced the opening of proposals for the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's Investments in the Training Equipment stream, supporting modern training equipment purchases.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Housing Infrastructure Fund Agreement in Northwest Territories

Canada and Northwest Territories finalized a 10-year agreement under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, with $74.2 million allocated to support critical infrastructure for housing development.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment in Shawinigan Green Projects

The federal government invested $2.5 million in Shawinigan for projects transforming community centers into modern and sustainable spaces, promoting health and well-being.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

New Housing Price Index, February 2025

StatsCan released the New Housing Price Index for February 2025, tracking changes in new housing prices across Canada.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Announcements

Saskatchewan Leads in Building Construction Growth

Saskatchewan ranked first in building construction investment growth, with a 27.2% increase in January 2025 compared to January 2024.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Nova Scotia's Accessibility Standard

Nova Scotia adopted its first accessibility standard focusing on outdoor spaces and recreation buildings, effective April 1, 2026.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Saskatchewan's Record Capital Budget

Saskatchewan's 2025-26 Budget includes a $4.6 billion capital investment for infrastructure projects, with $1.9 billion allocated to executive government projects.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Saskatchewan's Essential Skills Training Amid Federal Cuts

Saskatchewan continues investing $117 million in skills training programs despite federal funding cuts to the Labour Market Transfer Agreement.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

British Columbia Secondary-Suite Pilot Program Update

BC's secondary-suite pilot program will cease accepting applications after March 30, 2025, reallocating funds to other housing programs.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba's Budget 2025 Capital Investments

Manitoba's Budget 2025 invests a record $3.7 billion in capital projects, including schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.mb.ca

Saskatchewan's Crown Corporations Support Local Steel Jobs

Saskatchewan's Crown corporations procured steel from EVRAZ Steel to support local jobs, emphasizing domestic manufacturing.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Saskatchewan's 2025-26 Budget

Saskatchewan's 2025-26 Budget focuses on affordability, health care, education, community safety, and fiscal responsibility.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Canada and BC Housing Infrastructure Fund Agreement

Canada and BC finalized a housing infrastructure fund agreement, providing $250 million for the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith on Housing Affordability

MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith tweeted about the government's efforts to reduce homebuilding costs and reinvest in social housing, emphasizing housing as a home first.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Hedy Fry on Affordable Housing and Construction

MP Hedy Fry shared updates on construction projects in Vancouver, including 97 affordable rental homes and a withdrawal management centre.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Tony Van Bynen on Construction Workforce Plan

MP Tony Van Bynen announced a new plan to strengthen Canada's construction workforce by removing the study permit requirement for apprentices.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Bryan May on Housing Crisis Collaboration

MP Bryan May highlighted government collaboration with municipalities and provinces to expedite homebuilding in communities.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Joanne Thompson on Water Infrastructure Investment

MP Joanne Thompson tweeted about federal investments in water infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador to support housing development.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Julie Dabrusin on Toronto Housing Investments

MP Julie Dabrusin announced federal commitments to build more homes and address homelessness in Toronto, with $2.55 billion in loans.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Rising Construction Costs and Labor Shortages Challenge US Housing Rebound: A report on the impact of rising costs and labor shortages on the US housing market.
• From Glass to Concrete: Powering Up Building Materials Innovation: Innovations in building materials are driving changes in the construction industry.
• Rental Market to See Boom in Vacancies and Drop in Prices: Predictions for the rental market include increased vacancies and lower prices.
• N.B. Housing Minister Pursuing HST Exemption for Construction: New Brunswick's housing minister seeks HST exemption for detached home construction.
• Tetra Tech Secures $416 Million in Civil Engineering Contracts: Tetra Tech lands major contracts with the US Army Corps of Engineers.
• Why So Much Toronto Home Construction is Going Nowhere: An opinion piece exploring stalled construction projects in Toronto.
• BILD: Fixing the 'Cost-to-Build' Crisis: Insights into addressing the cost-to-build crisis in the housing sector.