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: 2025-06-01
End Date: 2025-06-07

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📱 Public Officials' Social Media
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Federal Legislation Introduced to Remove Internal Trade Barriers and Expedite Major Projects

On June 6, 2025, the Government of Canada introduced the One Canadian Economy Bill, combining the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act. The legislation is designed to remove federal internal trade barriers and create a framework for designating and advancing national interest projects across sectors such as highways, energy, ports, and infrastructure construction. Under the new process, once a project is scheduled as being in the national interest via government order, federal regulatory approvals are secured upfront, with a designated minister issuing a single conditions document that functions as the permit under all applicable statutes. This approach is intended to reduce major project decision timelines from five years to two, consolidate Indigenous consultation, and allow for a single federal point of contact through a major projects office, which will include an Indigenous Advisory Council. The Act also provides a framework for federal recognition of provincial and territorial licenses and certifications, simplifying labour mobility for skilled trades and construction workers. The government has committed to further reducing federal exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement by July 2025, and the new legislation will facilitate mutual recognition of goods, services, and professional qualifications across provincial and territorial lines.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Final Guidelines Issued on Environmental Claims Under the Competition Act

The Competition Bureau released its final guidelines on June 5, 2025, regarding environmental claims under the Competition Act, following two rounds of public consultation. The guidelines clarify that businesses may make any environmental claims as long as they are not false or misleading and are substantiated where required. The Bureau considered over 400 submissions, with the final guidance outlining that the Act does not prescribe when a particular environmental claim can be made, but requires that both the literal wording and overall impression be non-deceptive. The Bureau’s role is limited to enforcement and does not include interpreting the new provisions or acting as a gatekeeper for private legal actions.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Backgrounder: Summary of Consultations on Environmental Claims

A backgrounder published June 5, 2025, provides details on the Competition Bureau’s consultation process regarding new greenwashing provisions of the Competition Act. Feedback requested the Bureau specify which environmental claims are permissible, but the Bureau reiterated that businesses are free to make any claims so long as they are truthful and substantiated. The Bureau also declined to assume new enforcement roles beyond its statutory mandate and maintained that interpretation of the Act remains with the courts. The Bureau’s final guidance, shaped by these consultations, is intended to assist businesses in meeting the new legal standards for environmental marketing.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Summer Jobs Program Expansion Targets Construction and Environmental Sectors

The Government of Canada announced on June 6, 2025, the creation of up to 6,000 additional Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) placements, increasing the total to approximately 76,000 for the 2025 season. The program, which runs until July 21, 2025, funds wage subsidies for employers—including construction sector employers with 50 or fewer full-time staff—to hire youth aged 15 to 30. The initiative aims to provide work experience in high-demand fields such as housing construction and environmental protection. The announcement, made at the Wataynikaneyap Power office in Thunder Bay, highlighted the program’s role in supporting hiring for skilled trades, engineering technologists, and related roles within infrastructure and energy projects.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau Releases Guidance on Competitor Property Controls

On June 4, 2025, the Competition Bureau published updated guidance on competitor property controls under the Competition Act. These controls, which can restrict how a property is used by others, may raise competition concerns, particularly where they limit market entry or the range of products and services available in retail or commercial spaces. The Bureau advises businesses, including those in real estate and property development, to review their property control agreements to ensure compliance with federal competition law. The Bureau will continue to update its guidance as business practices and relevant law evolve.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Launches Housing and Transportation Cost Index Data Tables

Statistics Canada, in partnership with Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, released new data tables for the Housing and Transportation Cost Index on June 6, 2025. This composite index, modeled after the US H+T Affordability Index, combines census and administrative data to provide estimates of combined housing and transportation costs for all aggregate dissemination areas in Canada (excluding the territories and First Nations). The data set offers an additional benchmark for analyzing housing market affordability at a local level, relevant to developers, urban planners, and policymakers.

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

Labour Force Survey: May 2025 Employment and Unemployment Update

According to the May 2025 Labour Force Survey released by Statistics Canada, employment was little changed, with a net gain of 8,800 jobs (+0.0%). The employment rate held at 60.8%, while the unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 7.0%. These figures provide a current snapshot of national labour market conditions that may influence construction sector hiring and planning.

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

Labour Productivity Growth Continues for Second Consecutive Quarter

Canadian labour productivity rose by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2025, following a 1.2% increase in the previous quarter. This marks the first instance of back-to-back quarterly productivity growth since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on Statistics Canada’s June 4, 2025 release. The trend is relevant to construction employers monitoring unit labour costs and compensation metrics.

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

Sawmill Production Sees Monthly Increase but Year-Over-Year Decline

Statistics Canada reported that lumber production reached 4,325.9 thousand cubic metres in March 2025, a 17.3% increase from February. However, this represents a 1.6% decrease compared to March 2024. The data provides a current measure of building materials supply relevant to homebuilding and infrastructure construction.

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

New Data on Interprovincial Labour Mobility by Occupation Released

New statistics on interprovincial labour mobility by occupation for 2021–2024 are now available from Statistics Canada as of June 3, 2025. This dataset contains details on workforce movement by occupation, which may inform workforce planning, recruitment, and project management in the construction and skilled trades sectors.

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

US Federal GR News

White House Increases Section 232 Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Imports

On June 3, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation raising Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%, effective June 4, 2025. The measure is intended to counter unfair trade practices and address global excess capacity that impacts U.S. domestic production. Imports from the United Kingdom remain at 25%, subject to review under the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal. The tariffs apply to the steel and aluminum content in imported products, with specific reporting requirements and penalties for false declarations.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

HUD Proposes Rescinding Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Regulations

On June 3, 2025, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a proposed rule to rescind its Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing (AFHM) regulations, which currently require participants in FHA insurance and multifamily rental assistance programs to submit affirmative fair housing marketing plans. HUD cited statutory and constitutional concerns, including the Equal Protection Clause, and stated that the AFHM regulations are not necessary for preventing discrimination as defined by the Fair Housing Act. The proposed rule would remove 24 CFR part 108 and subpart M of part 200. A 30-day public comment period is open.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Issues 60-Day Notice for Information Collection on LIHTC Tenant Data

The Department of Housing and Urban Development published a 60-day notice on June 2, 2025, seeking public comment on the statutorily-mandated annual collection of tenant data from Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Seeks Input on Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Processing Requirements

HUD released a 60-day notice on June 2, 2025, for proposed revisions to information collection under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. The notice covers documentation and contractual requirements for public housing agencies and multifamily property owners converting to long-term project-based Section 8 contracts. Updates to forms and removal of certain diversity and equal access references are included to reflect recent executive orders. The estimated annual burden includes 3,041 hours for 370 respondents. Stakeholders are invited to comment on the necessity, accuracy, and minimization of these requirements.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

FHWA Terminates Several Rulemaking Initiatives Affecting Construction Programs

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced the termination of multiple rulemaking actions on June 3, 2025, including efforts related to National Performance Management Measures for Assessing Bridge Condition, updates to pavement regulations, and incorporating safety into federal-aid programs.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Releases Market Update on $30 Billion in Major Infrastructure Projects

Infrastructure Ontario’s June 2025 Market Update lists 28 major projects in procurement, valued at more than $30 billion, plus 19 in planning and nearly 300 capital repair projects. The update includes pipelines for transit-oriented communities and housing-enabling infrastructure.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Announces New Transmission Lines to Support Growth and Housing

On June 6, 2025, Ontario committed to building two new transmission lines and two major upgrades to meet rising energy demand from housing and industry, with consultations launched to prioritize further expansion projects.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Awards Toronto $67.2 Million Through the Building Faster Fund

Toronto will receive $67.2 million from Ontario’s Building Faster Fund for exceeding 88% of its annual housing target. The funding supports municipal infrastructure for new home construction.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

New Brunswick Maintains 3% Rent Cap for 2025-26 Fiscal Year

New Brunswick will keep its 3% rent cap in place for 2025–26 to address affordability challenges. The measure is subject to annual review and part of ongoing reforms to the province’s property tax system.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Aslam Rana reported speaking with Minister Gregor Robertson on June 6, 2025, regarding federal collaboration to address affordable housing challenges at the Jamesville Housing Complex in Hamilton Centre.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Rechie Valdez stated on June 4, 2025, that the government’s plan to double homebuilding will rely on the next generation of skilled tradespeople, following a Carpenters’ Union event.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Quebec residential construction workers striking for ‘equal pay for equal work’: A report on ongoing labour action over pay equity in Quebec’s construction sector.
• ‘What we can offer is speed’: Modular housing business owner on tackling supply: Insights from a modular homebuilder on rapid housing supply solutions.
• The future of housing construction in Canada: Discussion on trends and innovations shaping Canadian housing construction.
• mJob Launches New Construction Field Management Platform: mJob introduces a new digital platform for field management in construction.