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: 2025-09-14 to 2025-09-20

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

Federal Government Launches Build Canada Homes Agency With Major Investments

On September 19, the federal government launched Build Canada Homes, a new agency intended to accelerate and finance affordable housing construction at scale. The agency combines housing program delivery, portfolio management, and project financing, acting as a one-stop shop for affordable housing. The transition will move affordable housing program responsibility from the CMHC to Build Canada Homes, with $1.5 billion added to the Affordable Housing Fund’s New Construction Stream and $385 million accelerated in the Rapid Housing Sub-Stream, bringing total Fund investment to about $16 billion. These measures target shovel-ready projects and aim to double the rate of housing construction over the next decade. Build Canada Homes is mandated to use modern manufacturing, Canadian materials, and public lands to deliver affordable, transitional, and supportive housing. Collaborative partnerships will include industry, governments at all levels, and Indigenous communities. Until Build Canada Homes is fully operational, CMHC will continue to manage current programs to avoid service gaps. The government outlines that these efforts will serve both low-income and middle-class Canadians, with initiatives targeted at supporting domestic supply chains and skilled trades.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Build Canada Homes Agency Rollout Across Regions

The Build Canada Homes rollout was marked by region-specific announcements in Surrey, Burnaby, Saskatoon, Toronto, Trois-Rivières, Nova Scotia, and Québec City, presented by members of Cabinet and parliamentary secretaries. The agency has an initial capitalization of $13 billion and will manage public land transferred from the Canada Lands Company to facilitate large-scale affordable housing projects. As part of its construction methods, the agency will be responsible for implementing cost-efficient and modern building techniques, including modular, factory-built, and mass timber housing. These approaches are expected to create new supply chain demands for Canadian materials such as lumber, aluminum, and steel and foster high-value jobs in construction and related manufacturing sectors. The cooperation with provinces, municipalities, Indigenous groups, and the private sector is a key component, as is the integration of innovative project delivery models designed to speed up construction timeframes.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal and Municipal Investment Supports Housing-Linked Infrastructure in Montreal

On September 15, the federal government and the City of Montreal announced a joint $320 million investment for water, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure supporting the first phase of the Namur-Hippodrome neighbourhood development. The federal government’s share, up to $128.3 million, is delivered through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF). This enables the construction of services for 2,250 non-market housing units, supporting the development of up to 20,000 new units in total, with public green space and civic infrastructure planned for the district. The announcement was made jointly by federal and provincial ministers, as well as local officials. The infrastructure investment is positioned as a mechanism to unlock rapid housing growth through targeted public-private and multi-level government co-operation.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Investment Reduces and Prevents Veteran Homelessness in Greater Sudbury

Sudbury will receive $552,000 in federal funds for the City of Greater Sudbury Veterans Homelessness Program. This partnership with the Centre de santé communautaire du Grand Sudbury focuses on housing stability for veterans experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness. Funding provides for a dedicated support staff member, rental assistance, and coordinated access to services. The project includes engagement with Sudbury’s Homelessness Network and places focus on veterans, including Indigenous veterans, securing and maintaining stable tenancies.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal and Territorial Governments Approve $25.6 Million for Key Yukon Infrastructure

A combined $25.6 million investment from the federal and Yukon governments will fund water, sewer, and road upgrades in Faro, Watson Lake, and Haines Junction, as well as a new boat launch at Burwash Landing. The objective is to improve access to safe water and wastewater services, upgrade critical transport routes, and enhance recreational amenities. These improvements are expected to support community growth and serviceability, laying groundwork for expanded residential and infrastructure construction.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Home Heating Affordability Funding Announced for Ontarians

Natural Resources Canada announced a new partnership with Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to deliver the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program. Supported by a federal investment of nearly $37.5 million, the initiative allows income-qualified households to access up to $25,000 in combined federal and provincial funding for switching from oil heating to electric heat pumps. The federal government reports average annual household savings of over $1,300 from previous program participation and positions the initiative as supporting cost-of-living and energy system resilience.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau Commissioner Details Enforcement and Market Studies to Commons Committee

On September 17, Commissioner Matthew Boswell provided an overview of recent Competition Act amendments and enforcement activities to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology. The Bureau’s recent enforcement initiatives include legal action against several high-profile companies for alleged deceptive marketing and abuse of dominance in advertising technology services, with ongoing investigations in the grocery sector. The Bureau also published a June 2025 airline market study and has initiated a new competition study targeting the lending sector for SMEs. Boswell noted that recent legislative changes have strengthened merger review and abuse of dominance provisions, with ongoing guidance updates for businesses.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Monthly Credit Aggregates Data Released for July 2025

Statistics Canada released new data on monthly credit aggregates for July 2025, providing updated information relevant to mortgage, construction financing, and property development markets. The release enables sector stakeholders to review trends in lending growth and portfolio composition amid a shifting interest rate environment.

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

Consumer Price Index Shows 1.9% Year-over-Year Increase in August 2025

Statistics Canada reported a 1.9% year-over-year rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August 2025, up from 1.7% in July, with a seasonally adjusted monthly increase of 0.2%. The data informs decision-makers of ongoing cost pressures relevant to input costs, wages, and affordability within the construction and housing sectors.

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

New Dashboard Offers Business Conditions Data for Rural and Small Town Canada

Statistics Canada launched an interactive dashboard updating business conditions in rural and small-town Canada for Q3 2025. This dataset provides new inputs for firms assessing rural construction activity, demand for housing, and sectoral business expectations outside urban centres.

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

US Federal GR News

White House Imposes Restrictions and Surcharges on H-1B Nonimmigrant Workers

President Trump issued a proclamation restricting the entry of certain H-1B nonimmigrant workers to address program abuse that, according to the White House, has resulted in worker displacement and wage suppression. Effective September 21, 2025, new H-1B petitions will require a $100,000 fee for a 12-month period, with exceptions for petitions deemed in the national interest. The Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Labor have been directed to enforce new prevailing wage standards and prioritize high-skilled, high-paid workers. The proclamation is set against background of increased unemployment among recent U.S. STEM graduates and reported patterns of American worker layoffs in exchange for lower-paid H-1B workers. Employers must retain payment documentation and ensure compliance or risk denial of entry for foreign workers.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

HUD Extends Public Comment Period and Updates FY2026 Fair Market Rents Documentation

HUD published a correction extending the public comment period for the Fiscal Year 2026 Fair Market Rents (FMRs) notice to October 1, 2025. The extension applies to FMR calculations for programs such as Housing Choice Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation SRO. The notice also adds the Urban Honolulu, HI Metropolitan Statistical Area to the list of regions with FMRs based on 2023 local ad hoc surveys rather than ACS data. HUD updated the FMRs for all bedroom sizes in Urban Honolulu and published these corrections on its documentation system web page. The changes may affect multifamily developers and public housing authorities involved in voucher and rental programs.

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

HUD Proposes Information Collection for Moving to Work Asset Building Cohort

HUD issued a 30-day notice on planned data collection for the Moving to Work Asset Building Cohort evaluation. Phase two of the study focuses on the opt-out savings account initiative at nine participating Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). The survey will involve 1,100 HUD-assisted households, targeting questions on emergency savings, financial product use, and reliance on high-cost financial services. Data will inform HUD’s assessment of whether the savings program impacts household resilience and use of financial products. The request follows phase one, which examined program implementation and participant demographics.

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

HUD Seeks Public Comment on Revisions to Owner’s Certification and Tenant Eligibility Reporting

HUD is pursuing approval for revisions to the Owner’s Certification with HUD Tenant Eligibility and Rent Procedures, including changes to forms HUD-50059, HUD-9887/9887-A, and others. Data collected is submitted through the TRACS system and is intended to ensure accurate eligibility determinations and income verification for subsidized housing programs. The annual reporting involves over 6.9 million responses and 1.6 million annual burden hours. The update incorporates regulatory changes and automation in compliance and fraud prevention.

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

HUD Issues Notice on Alternative Inspections for Housing Choice Voucher Program

HUD published a 60-day notice seeking comment on information collection for public housing agencies that use alternative inspection methods for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units. Agencies requesting approval for an alternative method must submit documentation and an analysis showing alignment with Housing Quality Standards. Agencies must also update HUD if there are changes to the standards. The notice estimates 65 respondents and a combined annual cost of just over $11,000.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Commits Nearly $1.7 Billion for Water Infrastructure to Enable 700,000 Homes

Ontario announced nearly $1.7 billion in funding via the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund to support 700,000 new homes, with $400 million for 50 new water infrastructure projects and $82 million for irrigation in Niagara and Leamington.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Allocates $400 Million for Core Servicing Stream Projects Supporting Housing

The Ontario government is investing $400 million in 58 core infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and culverts, enabling 160,000 new homes across the province.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario to Invest $1.5 Million for Construction Worker Training and Mentorship

Ontario will provide $1.5 million through the Skills Development Fund to train 100 experienced construction workers as mentors, focusing on emerging home building technologies and mass timber regulations.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

BC Begins Construction on Nearly 250 Rental Homes in Township of Langley

Construction is underway on about 250 rental homes in Langley as part of BC Builds, with 70% at market rates and 30% at 20% below market rent, and occupancy planned for 2027.

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

Manitoba Government Signs Agreement With Building Trades for Four New Schools

Manitoba signed its first Manitoba jobs agreement for new school construction, with requirements for prioritizing Manitoba workers and setting apprenticeship targets for major public projects.

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

Government Consultations

Consulting Canadians on Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) Operation

Global Affairs Canada launched consultations on the functioning of CUSMA, seeking input from Canadians ahead of the 2026 joint review. Submissions will be accepted until November 3, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: international.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Carney allots $13-billion to build affordable housing under Build Canada Homes: Coverage of the financial outlay and new federal agency launch.
• Build Canada Homes will partner with development industry, to relief of homebuilders: Details on industry partnerships under the Build Canada Homes strategy.
• Carney launches Build Canada Homes with billions for affordable housing: National Post on the broader policy shift and financial rollout.
• Carney announces launch of new housing agency, earmarks funding for new projects: CBC News summary of the announcement's national implications.
• Halifax housing construction at record levels, but challenges remain with building: report: Sectoral analysis of construction activity and bottlenecks in Halifax.
• Demolition work underway at Collingwood site to make way for affordable housing: Reporting on site preparation for new affordable housing units in Ontario.
• What questions do you have about solving affordable housing in Canada?: CBC's engagement with public on affordable housing challenges.
• Vancouver builders embrace multiplex construction as city plans to increase density: Analysis of development trends and zoning shifts in Vancouver.
• Carney announces launch of new housing agency, earmarks funding for new projects: Related coverage on new project initiatives.
• What questions do you have about solving affordable housing in Canada?: Exploration of affordable housing solutions.

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