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.

Start Date: 2025-04-06
End Date: 2025-04-12

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CBSA Investigation Results in Sentence and Fine for Construction Manager

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the sentencing of Gurwinder Singh Ahluwalia, a construction manager in Winnipeg, to a 20-month conditional sentence and a $50,000 fine for unauthorized employment of foreign nationals, violating the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The investigation, which started in August 2023, revealed Ahluwalia lured foreign workers without authorization and underpaid those with valid permits. This case underscores the importance of compliance with immigration employment standards within the construction industry.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Amendments to Energy Efficiency Regulations

The Canada Gazette, Part II published amendments to the Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016, under the Energy Efficiency Act. These amendments include energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions for various products such as pool pumps and electric water heaters, with both residential and commercial sectors seeing significant impacts. The regulations aim to align with U.S. standards by 2029, with voluntary early compliance starting in 2028, affecting product redesigns and shipping logistics.

Sources: Canada Gazette, Part II: www.gazette.gc.ca

StatCan Reports Increase in Building Permits for February 2025

Statistics Canada reported a 2.9% increase in the total value of building permits issued in February 2025, totaling $13.1 billion. This growth may influence construction activity and demand for building materials, impacting sectors involved in residential and commercial construction projects.

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