Good morning! This is 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 news in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-04-27
End Date: 2025-05-03

Top Headlines

Main Stories

CBSA Initiates Dumping Investigation on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Imports

On April 22, 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) initiated an investigation under the Special Import Measures Act into alleged injurious dumping of carbon and alloy steel wire from China, Taiwan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, and Vietnam. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will conduct a preliminary inquiry on potential injury to Canadian industry, with a decision expected within 60 days. Relevant tariff classifications encompass a broad range of steel wire products, which may affect supply dynamics and pricing for construction materials. Written submissions on the investigation are due by August 29, 2025. The full product definition and details are available on the CBSA website.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Tribunal Extends Anti-Dumping Duties on Silicon Metal from China

On April 30, 2025, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal continued its order from August 2019, maintaining anti-dumping and countervailing duties on silicon metal imports from China. The Tribunal determined that ending the order would likely cause injury to the domestic industry. The Canada Border Services Agency will maintain the duties on silicon metal containing 89–99.99% silicon by weight, impacting construction material costs for products reliant on silicon inputs. The Tribunal’s decision follows its review of risk to Canadian producers, with the order remaining in place until further notice.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Provisional Duties Imposed on Corrosion-Resistant Steel Sheet from Türkiye

Following a preliminary determination by the Canada Border Services Agency on April 17, 2025, provisional duties are now payable on corrosion-resistant steel sheet imported from Türkiye by Borçelik Çelik Sanayi Ticaret A.Ş. The provisional duties apply to specific tariff classifications and remain in effect until the CITT issues a final order or the investigation is otherwise concluded. The Customs Act interest provisions will apply for late payments. The Statement of Reasons will be published within 15 days of the decision, and a final injury determination by the CITT is due within 120 days.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Statistics Canada Releases GDP Data for February 2025

Statistics Canada reported that real gross domestic product fell by 0.2% in February 2025, with contractions across both goods-producing and services-producing sectors. The construction sector forms a significant component of the goods-producing industries and is included in this overall decline. Further details and sector-specific breakdowns are available in the official release.

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

Prompt Payment Regulation Comes into Force in Manitoba

Manitoba's prompt payment regulation, effective April 1, 2025, introduces an adjudication framework to address delayed payments in construction projects. The regulation is intended to reduce payment disputes across contractors and subcontractors.

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

Ontario Contractor Fined $140,000 Following Workplace Fatality

Kingsview Carpentry Ltd. was fined $140,000 after a worker fatality occurred at a residential construction site in Blue Mountains, Ontario. The company was found to have failed to provide required fall protection.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Celebrates Highest-Achieving New Journeypersons

The Manitoba government recognized 36 new journeypersons at the 33rd annual Apprenticeship Highest Achievement Awards, highlighting the province’s commitment to skilled trades training.

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

B.C. Updates Short-Term Rental Registration Deadlines

B.C. extended compliance deadlines for short-term rental platforms to validate registration numbers, with more than 20,000 listings registered as of April 2025. The changes are part of ongoing efforts to address housing availability.

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

Provincial Announcements

Affordable Housing Development Progresses in Digby, Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has invested in a Mount Street development in Digby, with 21 new homes—12 of them affordable—supported by a $1.14-million forgivable loan. One building is fully occupied, with further construction ongoing.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Infrastructure Projects Act Tabled in British Columbia

B.C. introduced legislation to accelerate permitting and approvals for major public infrastructure projects, enabling faster project delivery through the Ministry of Infrastructure if enacted.

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

Affordable Housing Units Near Completion in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia

Twenty-seven new affordable units are slated for Cumberland County by fall 2025, with 20 already finished. Provincial investment exceeds $2.3 million across multiple developments in the area.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Nearly 300 New Homes to Be Built in Victoria, B.C.

Victoria will see construction begin on two developments totaling 295 new affordable and supportive homes, supported by nearly $100 million in provincial funding. Completion is expected by spring 2029.

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

Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act Introduced in British Columbia

B.C. tabled legislation making amendments to statutes including the Housing Supply Act, Local Government Act, and Professional Governance Act, impacting development charges and compliance authority.

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

Road Improvement Projects Advance in Cariboo, B.C.

Three road-improvement projects are moving forward in Cariboo to address landslide and washout risks, with contracts awarded and construction scheduled to start in the coming months.

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

B.C. Introduces Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act

The provincial government proposed legislation to designate the BC Energy Regulator as the main permitting authority for renewable energy projects and related transmission lines.

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

Housing Announcement for Digby, Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia officials announced the move-in of first residents at a new affordable housing development in Digby, part of the ongoing effort to expand housing access.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Anita Anand Marks National Day of Mourning for Workplace Safety

MP Anita Anand posted on April 28 about honouring individuals affected by workplace injuries on the National Day of Mourning and the importance of safer workplaces.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Hassan Yussuff Calls for Accountability on Workplace Safety

Senator Hassan Yussuff used the Day of Mourning to urge responsibility and accountability for workplace safety in Canada in a post on April 28.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Andréanne Larouche Addresses Inflation Challenges for Young Households

MP Andréanne Larouche stated on April 27 her intention to discuss solutions for young households facing inflation during upcoming parliamentary debates.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• The Liberals’ plans for solving housing affordability, the Home of the Week and more top real estate stories: Recent developments in the Canadian real estate and housing sectors.
• The International Code Council’s Building Safety Month Strengthens Public Safety and Brings Communities Together: Public safety initiatives in building construction.
• City of Whitehorse to offer building design templates to streamline permitting: Municipal approach to permitting via design templates in Whitehorse.