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: 2025-08-31 to 2025-09-06

📋 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

Canada directs $276 million to Alberta for infrastructure, supporting municipal housing growth

The Government of Canada is distributing over $276 million to Alberta municipalities this year under the Canada Community-Building Fund. Announced in Edmonton on September 2, 2025, this funding aims to improve foundational infrastructure such as public transit, water systems, and local roads and bridges. The Government of Alberta administers these funds, which enable municipalities to address present and future infrastructure priorities related to community development and housing expansion. The program allows for strategic allocation to both essential services and recreational infrastructure. These investments are expected to support population growth and facilitate additional housing capacity across urban and rural Alberta.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Over $33 million allocated to Newfoundland and Labrador for critical infrastructure upgrades

On September 5, 2025, the Government of Canada committed more than $33.4 million to Newfoundland and Labrador to further strengthen local communities through infrastructure upgrades. Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s received over $2 million for wastewater treatment plant and road upgrades, which are intended to enhance water access and road safety. The funding, administered under the Canada Community-Building Fund, supports a variety of essential and recreational projects across the province, with funding levels and application determined by local and provincial agreements. This financial support is targeted at enabling municipalities to meet evolving service and housing needs.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Yukon awarded $18.7 million federal funding for infrastructure and housing support

Communities in Yukon have been awarded over $18.7 million by the federal government for 2025, earmarked to build foundational infrastructure including upgrades in the Town of Watson Lake such as improved trail surfaces and signage. The Government of Yukon manages these funds, entering agreements with both municipalities and First Nation governments. These investments are intended to increase the region’s capacity to support new housing developments. The allocation provides flexibility for decision-makers to address immediate infrastructure requirements alongside long-term community planning.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal and provincial governments invest $4.4 million for water and wastewater infrastructure in Harbour Grace

A joint federal-provincial-municipal investment exceeding $4.4 million will upgrade water, wastewater, and stormwater facilities in Harbour Grace, NL, as announced September 4, 2025. The funding is provided through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund and will move 29 households from private systems onto municipal water and sewer services. The enhanced infrastructure, coordinated under a funding agreement between Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, is designed to facilitate both existing housing maintenance and new home construction.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Niagara Region receives over $128 million in joint federal-provincial funding for public transit projects

Niagara Transit will obtain more than $128 million in combined government support to refresh its transit fleet and improve service reliability. The announcement on September 4 includes backing for eight projects such as acquiring 124 new conventional buses, replacing and refurbishing specialized/paratransit vehicles, and developing a longer-term growth plan for the transit system. New vehicles are expected to include features such as real-time schedules and enhanced payment security.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau launches study into SME financing competition in Canada

The Competition Bureau has opened a public consultation on its planned market study regarding competition in the lending sector for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). The Bureau is seeking feedback on barriers to entry for smaller lenders, challenges SMEs face in comparing and switching loans, and the larger differential in SME borrowing costs compared to other OECD nations. The consultation is open until October 3, 2025. Final terms of reference will be published before the formal market study launch.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan August labour data: employment and productivity decline, unemployment rate rises

Statistics Canada reported a decline of 66,000 jobs in August 2025, mainly due to reduced part-time employment, bringing the unemployment rate up to 7.1%. Labour productivity among Canadian businesses dropped 1.0% in the second quarter, marking the largest quarterly decline since 2022. These trends may be relevant for manufacturers, contractors, and project developers in the construction and housing sectors, given potential impacts on workforce availability and project timelines.

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

StatsCan: Canadian lumber production and output volume decrease

According to the latest Sawmills data, Canadian lumber production in June 2025 decreased by 3.6% from May, totaling 3,995,600 cubic metres. Despite a slight year-on-year increase (0.2% from June 2024), the decline over the previous month may have implications for pricing and supply chains associated with residential and infrastructure construction.

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

Competition Bureau Canada cautions about illegal practices in snow removal contracting

With winter contracting already underway in several regions, the Competition Bureau published guidance warning about collusive practices among snow removal companies, including price-fixing, market allocation, and limiting customer access. Businesses and households are urged to report suspicious behaviour. The Bureau also outlines programs for whistleblowers and immunity for parties that come forward.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal support for youth employment and skilled trades through expanded national programming

Employment and Social Development Canada outlined ongoing investments in the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, Canada Summer Jobs, Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, and various student support programs. Recent funding includes several innovation and mentoring initiatives, and financial supports for apprentices such as interest-free loans and tax credits, aiming to sustain entry pipelines for skilled trades positions.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Minister Freeland closes Made in Canada Ferries and Rail Summit, emphasizes domestic steel and aluminum use

Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland concluded the Made in Canada Ferries and Rail Summit with a statement on increased domestic content for rail and marine projects. The summit featured collaboration between industry leaders and federal/provincial officials, discussing ways to boost the use of Canadian steel and aluminum and address barriers within the sector. This effort builds on recent legislative moves to reduce interprovincial trade barriers for construction materials.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

President Trump issues Executive Order modifying scope of reciprocal tariffs, introduces PTAAP annex for future trade deals

On September 5, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order revising the U.S. tariff regime, including changes to Annex II of Executive Order 14257, with certain goods newly exempted (e.g., bullion-related items and critical minerals) and others—such as select aluminum hydroxide and silicone products—now subject to tariffs. The order takes effect September 8, 2025.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

DOE requests public input on energy conservation standards for manufactured housing

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a request for information (RFI) concerning potential updates to its energy conservation standards for manufactured housing, considering the latest 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and changes in market conditions such as inflation and supply chain challenges. The RFI seeks stakeholder comments on affordability impacts, technical assumptions, and cost analysis methodologies for both single-section and multi-section units.

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

President Trump signs Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act into law

President Trump enacted H.R. 2808, the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, on September 5, 2025. The new legislation restricts credit reporting agencies from sharing consumer credit reports in residential mortgage transactions, except under prescribed conditions. The measure introduces additional requirements for data privacy and consumer consent in mortgage credit inquiries, aiming to protect individual credit information within the homebuying process.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

HUD revises Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program residency requirements

HUD published an interim final rule on September 4, 2025, revising eligibility for the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program to restrict participation to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident aliens, removing non-permanent residents from eligibility. The rule cites alignment with recent executive actions and FHA-insured mortgage program changes.

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

GSA invites comment on Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc) acquisition regulation extension

The General Services Administration issued a notice seeking comments on extending its information collection requirement for CMc contracts. The notices relate to GSAR 552.236-79 and 552.236-80, which require contractors to submit detailed proposals for converting contracts to firm-fixed-price agreements and maintaining accounting records for three years after final payment.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario implements labour mobility changes for in-demand professions starting January 2026

Ontario announced regulatory changes that will allow certified professionals from across Canada—including architects, engineers, and surveyors—to work in the province within 10 days after credential confirmation, effective January 1, 2026.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario rewards Kitchener and Waterloo with $16.7 million for exceeding housing targets

Nearly $16.7 million has been awarded through the Building Faster Fund to Kitchener and Waterloo for surpassing their 2024 provincial housing targets, supporting new starts and municipal infrastructure.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta invests $1 million to expand skilled trades training at Northwestern Polytechnic

The Government of Alberta is providing $1 million to support planning for the expansion of skilled trades and apprenticeship education at Northwestern Polytechnic, aiming to meet workforce needs in northern Alberta.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Ontario grants $440,000 to Chatham-Kent for housing and infrastructure

Chatham-Kent received $440,000 under the Building Faster Fund after exceeding its 2024 housing target, supporting community infrastructure linked to new housing.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Richard Grounds appointed as chair of Skilled Trades BC Appeal Board

Richard Grounds has been appointed to a three-year term as chair of the Skilled Trades BC Appeal Board, which provides an independent forum for appeals regarding skilled trades credentialing in British Columbia.

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

What We're Reading This Week

• Slowing housing market will trigger construction job losses, Ontario builders group says: Ontario builders anticipate workforce reductions as construction activity slows.
• Sudbury, Ont. among top 5 cities in Canada for housing construction so far this year: Sudbury ranks within the leading Canadian cities for year-to-date housing starts.
• How Ontario's slowing housing market is affecting trades jobs: Slower housing starts in Ontario impact demand and availability of skilled trade positions.
• Unlocking viability: Policy changes needed to facilitate purpose-built rental housing supply: Analysis of regulatory measures considered for supporting purpose-built rental construction.
• It’s back to work for our governments. Here’s why the housing crisis needs to be atop their GTA agendas: GTA editorial calls for prioritizing housing availability as legislatures resume.
• Non-realtors ‘hijacking’ rental listings, Home of the Week and more top real estate stories: Roundup of Canadian real estate highlights for the week.
• Opinion | Showcase Canadian craftsmanship with a state-of-the-art building at 24 Sussex Drive: Advocates suggest a modern rebuild at the historic Ottawa residence.
• Internal government list of 32 potential infrastructure projects includes new oil pipeline: A government list details possible future infrastructure initiatives.
• Sudbury, Ont. among top 5 cities in Canada for housing construction so far this year (mobile): Mobile report echoes Sudbury's place in national housing construction rankings.

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