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: 2025-04-13
End Date: 2025-04-19

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Affordable Housing Initiatives and the Impact of U.S. Tariffs

MP Yvan Baker announced initiatives to counteract U.S. tariffs, including the Build Canada Homes program aimed at constructing 500,000 homes annually. This includes support for Canadian-made prefabricated homes and mass timber, alongside tax incentives for rental housing. MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith emphasized the need for public sector involvement in affordable housing to address the crisis, advocating for non-market housing solutions.

Sources: Social Media: x.com, Social Media: x.com

Skilled Trades and Economic Growth

MP Julie Dzerowicz highlighted investments in training for skilled trades in Davenport, underscoring their importance to the community and economy. Additionally, MP Mona Fortier announced a $15,000 training benefit for key sectors, including construction, which is complemented by an $8,000 apprenticeship grant.

Sources: Social Media: x.com, Social Media: x.com

Provincial Housing Start Trends

Saskatchewan leads Canada in urban housing start growth with a 96.5% increase in early 2025. Meanwhile, MPs like Melissa Lantsman have criticized the federal government's handling of housing starts, noting significant declines in Ontario and B.C.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca, Social Media: x.com

Manitoba's Infrastructure Investment

The Manitoba government is redirecting 500 MW of electricity from expiring export contracts to support infrastructure projects across Canada, including the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link. This comes alongside a $20.3 million investment to improve highways near Minnedosa, aimed at bolstering rural Manitoba's economy.

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

Ontario's Economic Development Through Mineral Resources

Ontario introduced legislation to simplify approval processes for mining and infrastructure projects, aiming to cut review times by 50%. This includes designating special economic zones and accelerating critical mineral development to enhance economic competitiveness.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

Federal Data on Crown Land Development

A new dataset detailing active and applied Crown Land Development Agreements in British Columbia was released, providing insights into land use for development.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

New Brunswick Supports Student Housing

The New Brunswick government allocated over $1.1 million for student housing planning at Université de Moncton and UNB, focusing on long-term strategies for new residences.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Workplace Safety Fine in Ontario

A Brampton-based contractor was fined $110,000 following a fatal workplace incident due to non-compliance with safety regulations.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Coastal Protection

Nova Scotia released new bylaws to help municipalities protect coastal properties from climate change impacts, including flooding and erosion.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith Critiques Housing Policy

MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith called for increased public sector involvement in building affordable homes, opposing a market-only solution.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Tracy Gray Criticizes Housing Starts Decline

MP Tracy Gray highlighted a decline in housing starts under the current government, advocating for a focus on building homes over bureaucracy.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Mona Fortier on Training Benefits

MP Mona Fortier announced training benefits for sectors like construction, aiming to support workforce development.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• CBC News: Construction industry sees opportunities to improve housing ahead of the federal election.
• The Globe and Mail: The evolving architecture of affordable housing.
• CBC News: Fredericton prepares for a 'manageable' construction season.
• Toronto Sun: It's about getting homes built faster.
• CTV News: Impact of interprovincial trade on the construction industry.
• GlobeNewswire: EllisDon launches Base Design™ for Canadian affordable housing.
• Global News: Home renovation contractors report fewer clients amid the US-Canada trade war.
• The Star: WorkSafeBC urges fall protection for construction workers.
• CBC News: How a rapid housing project may save lives.