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: 2025-05-19
End Date: 2025-05-24

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Canada and Nova Scotia Sign $170.9M, 10-Year Agreement to Enable Housing Construction

On May 23, the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia finalized a decade-long agreement under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, providing $170.9 million to invest in key infrastructure across the province. The funding targets upgrades for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste management, all intended to accelerate the release of long-term housing supply. Nova Scotia will also continue the freeze on development charges first introduced in November 2023, reducing costs for builders and supporting growth in the residential sector. The agreement also stresses the role of technology, innovation, and federal-provincial coordination to expand construction activity.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Natural Resources Minister Hodgson Announces Major Federal Permitting Overhaul for Energy, Housing, and Infrastructure Sectors in Calgary Speech

Speaking in Calgary on May 23, Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson outlined significant policy changes on federal permitting for resource, housing, and infrastructure projects. The government will launch a Major Federal Projects Office as a single window for project permitting and approvals, promising a two-year target for all project decisions and consolidation of reviews from previously scattered departments. Hodgson stated that the review process for Projects of National Interest will be accelerated, and a 'One Project, One Review' approach will guide future projects. Additional measures include prioritized investment in carbon capture, east–west electricity grid development, domestic processing of critical minerals, and a focus on increasing use of Canadian wood in housing.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Procurement Ombud Releases Report on 'Best Value' Principles in Federal Procurement

On May 21, the Office of the Procurement Ombud published research evaluating the application of 'Best Value' in federal procurement policies. The study notes a shift from lowest-cost selection to a broader framework including lifecycle costs and alignment with public policy goals. The report reviews Canadian and international practices, and offers suggestions for policy-makers on balancing price, technical merit, and additional factors during the procurement of goods and services, particularly as they pertain to major government-funded construction and infrastructure projects.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Reports April 2025 New Housing Price Index Released

The New Housing Price Index for April 2025, which tracks price changes for new homes, is now available from Statistics Canada.

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

Commercial Rents Index Shows Data for Q1 2025

First-quarter 2025 data on commercial rents in key Canadian markets has been released by Statistics Canada.

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

Industrial Product Prices Decrease 0.8% in April, Raw Materials Down 3.0%

Statistics Canada data for April 2025 shows a 0.8% month-over-month decline in the Industrial Product Price Index and a 3.0% drop in the Raw Materials Price Index.

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

Consumer Price Index Growth Slows to 1.7% Year-over-Year in April

April's national Consumer Price Index rose 1.7% year-over-year, below March's 2.3% annual gain; seasonally adjusted, the monthly CPI fell 0.2%.

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

Household Mortgage Debt Grows 0.3% in March Amid Rate Cut

Total household credit liabilities increased 0.3% in March, with mortgage balances up by $7.0 billion. The policy interest rate decreased by 25 basis points to 2.75% during the same month.

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

Monthly Mineral Production Data for March 2025 Available

March data from the Monthly Mineral Production Survey and the Monthly Survey of Smelters and Metal Refineries is now accessible from Statistics Canada.

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

Provincial Announcements

Ontario to Require AEDs on Large Construction Sites in New Safety Proposal

Ontario will introduce rules mandating automatic external defibrillators for construction projects expected to last three months or longer with at least 20 workers. A WSIB reimbursement program is planned to offset device purchase costs.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

BC Announces $19M for 65 New Affordable Indigenous Homes in Mission

The Government of British Columbia committed $19 million for 65 affordable homes for Indigenous families in Mission, delivered in partnership with Kwantlen First Nation.

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

Manitoba Invests $24M in Steinbach Area Highway Upgrades

Manitoba announced $24 million in highway improvements near Steinbach, including resurfacing and adding paved shoulders to 12 kilometers of Provincial Trunk Highway 12.

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

Manitoba Allocates $2 Million to Skilled Trades Training and Employment Programs

Manitoba is spending $2 million to support 150 people facing employment barriers through training in sectors including construction trades and related employment programs.

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

BC Progresses on 445-Bed Student Housing and New Child Care Facility at SFU Burnaby

Construction started on 445 new student residence beds and a 160-space child care facility at Simon Fraser University, with the total project cost at $196.6 million.

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

Nova Scotia Details $4.3 Million in Affordable Housing Initiatives for Annapolis Valley

Nova Scotia is funding multiple affordable housing projects in the Annapolis Valley, including new developments, upgrades to 86 affordable units, and a 67-unit development on newly transferred provincial land.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Launches Task Force to Expedite Sand and Gravel Permitting

Alberta established a Sand and Gravel Task Force to develop recommendations for reducing regulatory delays in private land aggregate operations over the next six months.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

BC to Issue Directives to Oak Bay and West Vancouver over Housing Target Delays

The BC government informed Oak Bay and West Vancouver that they must amend bylaws and community plans to meet housing targets, with new requirements for delegated minor variances and increased density planning.

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

Alberta Accelerates 11 School Construction Projects under $8.6 Billion Investment

Eleven school construction projects in communities including Calgary and Red Deer will proceed to the next development phase, accounting for over 8,000 new student spaces.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

New Brunswick Boosts Rental Benefit by $21 Million, Expanding Support to 2,500 More Households

New Brunswick increased funding for its direct-to-tenant rental benefit, now supporting an additional 2,500 households with income-based subsidies under the National Housing Strategy.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

On May 23, MP Lena Metlege Diab posted on social media regarding the signing of a federal-provincial agreement to expand infrastructure supporting affordable housing in Nova Scotia.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Adam Chambers noted that U.S. tariffs now stand at 14.5% on Canadian lumber, which comprises around 85% of U.S. softwood lumber imports and nearly a quarter of supply.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Jasraj Singh Hallan commented on the federal Housing Minister’s remarks about home prices, contrasting government and opposition positions while referring to policy proposals such as land sales and permitting changes.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Shannon Stubbs commented on Tim Hodgson’s address in Calgary, listing actions she believes should be undertaken to accelerate energy and infrastructure approval, including changes to multiple federal laws and regulatory practices.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

On May 23, MP Ned Kuruc referenced a meeting with StressCrete Group about U.S. tariffs affecting their urban lighting fixture exports and noted ongoing efforts to address the issue.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Gérard Deltell described a May 21 meeting with Konos, a Quebec-based firm, where young engineer candidates discussed safety solutions for road construction projects.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Denise Batters used social media to note that Leslyn Lewis serves as Shadow Minister for Infrastructure.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Focus BC: Housing, infrastructure and the end of the spring session: Provincial political recap on legislative activity and housing initiatives.
• How lowering costs for developers could save you money on your next home: Analysis of the link between construction costs and homebuyer savings.
• All residential construction in Quebec could come to a halt due to strike: Possible province-wide construction halt in Quebec due to labour action.
• Iron Workers and Partner Contractors Lead Construction Industry with Trailblazing Mental Health Initiative: Feature on an industry-wide workforce mental health program.
• Week Four of the International Code Council’s Building Safety Month Spotlights Building Safety Professionals: Report on building safety professional recognition.
• Affordable Housing Wishlist | Information Morning - NS | On Demand | CBC Listen: Regional discussion of affordable housing priorities.
• Iron Workers and Partner Contractors Lead Construction Industry with Trailblazing Mental Health Initiative: Overview of mental health support efforts in the construction sector.
• Iron Workers and Partner Contractors Lead Construction Industry with Trailblazing Mental Health Initiative: Further coverage of contractor mental health programming.
• Week Four of the International Code Council's Building Safety Month Spotlights Building Safety Professionals: Update on safety standards and construction workforce recognition.
• Week Four of the International Code Council’s Building Safety Month Spotlights Building Safety Professionals: Feature on initiatives for building code professionals.