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 updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-05-04
End Date: 2025-05-10

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Competition Bureau Secures Second Court Order in Quebec Real Estate Data Probe

On May 6, the Competition Bureau obtained a second court order as part of its investigation into the Quebec Professional Association for Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB) and its subsidiary, Société Centris. The probe examines whether data-sharing restrictions by QPAREB have restricted competition in Quebec’s real estate brokerage services or hindered the growth of online brokerage platforms. The Federal Court order compels QPAREB to provide records detailing its business relationships and data on Quebec real estate transactions. The Bureau is seeking further information to assess the competitive landscape and potential market impacts stemming from these practices.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Initiates Expiry Review on Carbon Steel Screws

On May 5, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal initiated an expiry review of its 2020 order concerning anti-dumping and countervailing duties on carbon steel screws from China and Taiwan. The review will determine if ending the order could result in resumed dumping or subsidizing, potentially injuring the domestic fastener industry. The Canada Border Services Agency is expected to issue its findings by October 2, 2025. Interested parties wishing to participate must file a Notice of Participation. The Tribunal’s final determination, if required, is due by March 11, 2026.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Implements Countermeasures and Remission Process in Response to U.S. Tariffs

Following U.S. tariffs imposed in March and April 2025—covering Canadian goods, energy, potash, steel, aluminum, and automobiles—the Government of Canada has responded with retaliatory surtaxes on U.S. imports. These measures, introduced under three separate Orders in Council, apply 25% tariffs to $59.8 billion in U.S. goods. A new remission process allows Canadian firms to request relief if goods cannot be sourced domestically or from non-U.S. suppliers, or if other exceptional circumstances apply. Requests are considered for sectors such as public health, national security, manufacturing, and food processing. The countermeasures remain in force until U.S. tariffs are removed.

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

StatsCan: Residential Renovation Costs See Smallest Increase Since 2020

Statistics Canada reported that residential renovation costs rose 0.3% in Q1 2025, down from a 0.5% increase in the prior quarter. This marks the lowest quarterly growth in renovation costs since Q2 2020, suggesting a moderation in input price pressures for residential construction and renovation projects.

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

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Maintains Duties on Silicon Metal from China

On April 30, the Tribunal continued its order on anti-dumping and countervailing duties for silicon metal from China, citing likely injury to the domestic sector if the order expired.

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

StatsCan Releases Labour Force Survey: April 2025

In April, employment was little changed (+7,400; +0.0%), with the employment rate declining to 60.8% and the unemployment rate rising 0.2 points to 6.9%.

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

Sawmill Output Down in February 2025

Lumber production fell 4.8% month-over-month in February to 3,686,800 cubic metres, and was 15.3% below February 2024 levels.

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

New Condominium Apartment Price Index Data Available for Q1 2025

Statistics Canada has published the New Condominium Apartment Price Index for the first quarter of 2025.

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

Architectural, Engineering and Related Services Price Index Released for Q1 2025

Statistics Canada released updated price index data for architectural, engineering, and related services for Q1 2025.

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

Canadian Economic News: April 2025 Issue Published

The April 2025 edition of Canadian Economic News is now available from Statistics Canada.

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

Provincial Announcements

Ontario Expands Skills Development Fund by $1 Billion

Ontario will increase its Skills Development Fund by $955 million over three years, supporting workers affected by tariffs and boosting training for high-demand occupations including construction.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Breaks Ground on Parry Sound Long-Term Care Expansion

Construction started on 22 new long-term care beds at Belvedere Heights in Parry Sound, funded through the Construction Funding Subsidy top-up.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Breaks Ground on Sudbury Long-Term Care Expansion

Hoivakoti Finlandia Nursing Home in Sudbury will add 32 beds, with the new section also housing a training facility for staff and students; completion expected in fall 2026.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Approves Construction of First G7 Small Modular Nuclear Reactor

Ontario Power Generation received approval to build the first of four small modular reactors at Darlington, aiming to supply enough power for 300,000 homes and support up to 18,000 jobs.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Announces Minister Flack Press Conference on Housing and Infrastructure

Minister Rob Flack will hold a press conference on May 12 in Vaughan, joined by ministers from finance, infrastructure, and transportation; topics include housing and infrastructure.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Premier to Attend Skills Ontario Competition

Premier Doug Ford and ministers will provide remarks at the Skills Ontario Competition in Etobicoke on May 6, with a focus on skilled trades and workforce development.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Ryan Turnbull Praises New Affordable Housing in Whitby

MP Ryan Turnbull announced that over 40 new affordable homes will be built in Whitby using part of the $25 million Federal Housing Accelerator Fund, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity GTA.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Michelle Rempel Garner Comments on Home Building Timelines

MP Michelle Rempel Garner remarked on construction timelines, suggesting that experienced home builders could complete work in about a year.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Sean Casey Highlights Modular Housing Project in Charlottetown

MP Sean Casey noted that Canada’s largest modular multifamily wood construction project is underway in Charlottetown, led by 720 Modular and Fitzgerald & Snow.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Soraya Martinez Ferrada Addresses Revitalization in Montreal

MP Soraya Martinez Ferrada discussed safety and revitalization plans for the area surrounding Montreal’s Saint-Laurent metro, including calls for demolition of a problematic building.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Michael Barrett Criticizes Federal Housing Policy

MP Michael Barrett criticized recent federal housing policies and referenced affordability concerns, contrasting Liberal and Conservative approaches.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Maninder Sidhu Announces $5B Trade Diversification Corridors Fund

MP Maninder Sidhu shared details on the new $5 billion Trade Diversification Corridors Fund, aimed at addressing infrastructure bottlenecks for interprovincial and international trade.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Andrew Cardozo Jokes About Centre Block Renovations

Senator Andrew Cardozo referenced the ongoing renovations at Parliament Hill’s Centre Block in a social media exchange.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Partnering with skilled trades as foundation for project success and community well-being: Article on the role of skilled trades in construction project outcomes.
• Road construction season ramping up: Report on the start of road construction activities across regions.
• Construction season kicks off in Regina: Update on the beginning of Regina’s 2025 construction season.
• City of Calgary prepares for a busy construction season ahead: Calgary officials discuss the scale of planned construction work for 2025.
• The housing market in mid-sized Canadian cities, the Home of the Week and more top real estate stories: Roundup of recent real estate developments in mid-sized cities.
• Pilot program aims to fast-track housing construction in Barrie: Barrie launches a pilot to accelerate the pace of housing construction.