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.

Dates: 2025-08-03 to 2025-08-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

Government of Canada Launches Consultation on Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act

On August 7, the Government of Canada opened consultations aimed at developing regulations under the forthcoming Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act. The Act seeks to reduce federal barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility by recognizing equivalent provincial or territorial requirements for goods, services, and professional opportunities. The regulatory process will clarify how comparability is measured and outline permissible exceptions intended to safeguard health, safety, security, and economic well-being. Both regional and national consultations are planned with stakeholders from industry, business, and labour throughout August and September. The finalized regulations are scheduled for publication in fall 2025, preceding full operationalization of the Act. For construction and housing sectors, the framework is expected to influence how credential recognition and procurement practices unfold across provinces. The public and industry can participate by submitting written feedback for consideration.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Residential Renovation Price Index Shows Continued Cost Increases

Statistics Canada's Residential Renovation Price Index (Q2 2025) indicated costs increased by 0.9% over the previous quarter, following a 0.3% rise during Q1. The sustained upward trend in renovation costs can be attributed to ongoing labour and material expenses, affecting project quotes and budget forecasts for both residential property owners and contractors nationwide.

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

Labour Force Survey: Employment Declines in July, Unemployment Steady

National employment in July fell by 41,000 (-0.2%), bringing the employment rate to 60.7%. Despite this decrease, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.9%. Construction and related trades continue to navigate a tight labour environment in the context of softening employment gains.

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

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Issues Expiry Review Notice for Concrete Reinforcing Bar

On August 9, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) initiated an expiry review of its October 2020 order concerning dumping and subsidizing of hot-rolled deformed steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) from China, Korea, and Türkiye. Interested persons wishing to participate must file a Notice of Participation by August 13, 2025. The Canada Border Services Agency will issue a determination by December 24, 2025, and the Tribunal will render a final decision by June 2, 2026. The outcome may affect rebar supply, pricing, and procurement for infrastructure and residential projects.

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

Federal Investments Support Northern Innovation and Productivity in New Brunswick

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced repayable contributions totaling $162,000 to three businesses in Saint-Quentin and Saint-Arthur, New Brunswick, for capital equipment upgrades. Scierie S.A. Lévesque Lumber will receive $100,000 to purchase cutting line equipment and expand its plant, supporting productivity improvements in regional forest products and construction materials supply.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government Announces $8.2 Million for Critical Minerals Supply Chain in New Brunswick

Natural Resources Canada committed $8.2 million through the Global Partnerships Initiative to Northcliff Resources, supporting feasibility studies and engineering for the Sisson tungsten-molybdenum project in New Brunswick. The investment is part of the national Critical Minerals Strategy and is aimed at securing domestic supply chains for strategic industrial applications in sectors including construction, energy storage, and defense. Funding will support technical and economic analyses needed for an eventual construction decision.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada and Ontario Commit Over $20 Million to Public Transit Infrastructure in North Bay

On August 6, federal, provincial, and municipal stakeholders announced a combined $20.6 million investment to upgrade North Bay's public transit fleet and infrastructure. The funding will facilitate replacement of eight conventional transit buses with new hybrids, along with terminal improvements and fare system modernization. The project is intended to enhance local mobility and generate direct construction employment during implementation.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Governments of Canada and Yukon Allocate $63.9 Million for New Dawson City Recreation Centre

A joint investment from the federal and Yukon governments will support construction of a new recreation complex in Dawson City. The facility will include spaces such as an ice rink, fitness center, and multi-purpose rooms, providing expanded amenities and opportunities for local construction trades and sub-contractors. The design process included community engagement and is being implemented in partnership with the City of Dawson and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Parliamentary Secretary Tours Northern Quebec, Meeting Industry Leaders on Mining and Forestry

From August 5-6, Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, conducted a tour of Northern Quebec. Meetings with industry and Indigenous organizations focused on mining, forestry, workforce capacity, regulatory harmonization, and infrastructure development. Visits included Sayona’s North American Lithium mine and Les Chantiers Chibougamau’s kraft pulp mill, underscoring ongoing federal attention to developing supply chains for critical minerals and value-added wood products.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Softwood Lumber Industry Announcement in Quebec

On August 5, Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty, accompanied by MP Claude Guay, held an event at Uniboard Canada Inc. in Val-d'Or, Quebec, to deliver an announcement concerning the softwood lumber sector. The statement noted upcoming media availabilities, with no additional program details released at the time.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Initiates Expiry Review on Plate Steel from Ukraine

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal began an expiry review proceeding for anti-dumping measures on hot-rolled carbon steel plate and high-strength low-alloy steel plate imported from Ukraine. Stakeholders have the opportunity to participate by submitting required forms, with the preliminary CBSA determination due January 2, 2026. Domestic steel suppliers, infrastructure contractors, and fabricators are among those potentially affected by the outcome.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: Sawmill Lumber Production Down 3.1% in May

According to Statistics Canada, national lumber production in May 2025 was 4,143.8 thousand cubic metres, a 3.1% decrease from April and 7.4% lower than May 2024. This moderation in supply may impact material procurement, pricing, and lead times for construction projects through the third quarter.

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

US Federal GR News

HUD Publishes Extended Compliance and Implementation Guidance for NSPIRE Inspections in HOPWA Program

On August 5, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued detailed implementation guidance for National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) as they apply to the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program.

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

HUD Issues Regulatory Waivers to Support Housing and Development Activities

The Department of Housing and Urban Development published a summary of regulatory waivers granted during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2024, affecting a range of housing and community development programs. The waivers include flexibility in HOME program expenditure deadlines, utility allowance methodologies, Section 108 Loan Guarantees, environmental review requirements, and restrictions in the Emergency Solutions Grants program, among others.

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

USDA Announces $13.1 Million for Section 533 Housing Preservation Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service published a notice of funding availability for the Section 533 Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program for fiscal year 2025. A total of $13.1 million will be granted to eligible entities, including $2.1 million for disaster relief and $1 million for specific hurricane recovery. Qualifying applicants—public agencies, non-profits, and federally recognized Tribes—may apply to provide grants or low-interest loans to rehabilitate housing in rural areas. The agency outlines eligibility, application deadlines, award criteria, and compliance obligations, with the application window closing September 4, 2025.

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

White House Expands Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors via Executive Order

A presidential executive order issued on August 7 instructs the Department of Labor to revisit and potentially revise ERISA guidance to permit 401(k) participants increased access to alternative assets—such as private market investments, real estate, digital assets, infrastructure, and commodities.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

White House Issues Executive Order on Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans

President Trump signed an executive order on August 7 addressing 'politicized or unlawful debanking.' Financial institutions are directed not to deny services based on lawful business activities or protected political, religious, or social beliefs. Federal banking regulators are tasked with eliminating 'reputation risk' criteria that may have facilitated debanking, and the Small Business Administration must ensure reinstatement or notification for affected clients.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Invests Over $13 Million to Train Workers in Critical Sectors

Ontario is allocating more than $13 million in training projects for over 1,000 individuals in Sudbury and surrounding regions, targeting hands-on skills development in boilermaking, welding, mining, forestry, and ironworking.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

B.C. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Shows $7.3 Billion Deficit, Record Capital Spending on Infrastructure

British Columbia released public accounts confirming $10.4 billion in taxpayer-supported capital projects for the fiscal year, with investments across health care, education, and housing—and a year-end deficit of $7.3 billion.

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

Ontario Awards Georgina $1.3 Million through Building Faster Fund

The Town of Georgina will receive $1.33 million under Ontario's Building Faster Fund after reaching 81% of its annual housing target. The funding supports new home construction and infrastructure.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

New Development to Expand Affordable Housing in St. Stephen, New Brunswick

New Brunswick will soon complete a five-unit modular public housing complex on Main Street in St. Stephen as part of ongoing efforts to increase affordable housing supply in the province.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Work Begins on Long-Term Care Home in Vancouver

Construction on St. Vincent’s Heather, a 240-bed long-term care facility, has commenced in Vancouver. The modern building will accommodate residents in private rooms and integrate community amenities.

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

What We're Reading This Week

• Canada’s Large Urban Housing Sector Unites: Coalition of Home Builders and Rental Providers Offers Federal Housing Solutions: Industry coalitions present proposals to the federal government aimed at enhancing housing supply.
• Prefabricated homes could be cheaper to build — and buy. Here’s how to make them work in Toronto: Analysis of opportunities and barriers to uptake of prefab construction in major urban markets.
• B.C. Insider: Major builders ask government to ease restrictions on foreign housing investment: Builders in British Columbia request policy adjustments on foreign capital for housing development.
• New Brunswick announces new affordable housing in St. Stephen: Coverage of new public housing projects and their role in addressing regional housing needs.
• Bodell Construction joins Aecon: Corporate acquisition expands Aecon’s reach in major infrastructure contracting.

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