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: 2025-11-23 to 2025-11-29

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Senate Subcommittee on Long Term Vision and Plan to review parliamentary precinct work program: The Senate Subcommittee on Long Term Vision and Plan will meet in camera on December 3, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. in Room W110, 1 Wellington St., to study the program of work for the parliamentary precinct.

Canadian Federal Government News

Government of Canada invests $1 million in prefabricated housing facility in Ottawa region

The Government of Canada has announced a $1 million investment in EkoBuilt (Kealey Tackaberry Homes Ltd.) to support the rapid installation of Passive House prefabricated structures in Dunrobin, Ontario. This funding, delivered through FedDev Ontario, will enable the company to acquire advanced equipment for a new prefabrication facility focused on high-performance, energy-efficient construction. The upgraded site will produce wall and roof panels adhering to Passive House and Net-Zero standards, reducing construction time and material waste by half. These panels can be readily used by builders for various housing types, including single-family homes and multi-unit residences. The announcement was made at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Bruce Fanjoy, MP for Carleton, on behalf of Minister Evan Solomon. This project illustrates the federal commitment to supporting innovative construction methods that respond to housing demand while introducing advanced building materials and technologies to the market.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Steel sector measures unveiled to address US trade disruptions and boost Canadian demand

The federal government has introduced a suite of measures aimed at protecting and transforming Canada's steel industry in response to shifting US trade policy. Announced by Secretary of State Buckley Belanger at Pro Metal Industries Ltd. in Regina, these initiatives include reducing tariff rate quota levels for non-free trade agreement partners, imposing a global 25% tariff on select imported steel-derivative products, and ending temporary tariff remissions for certain imported steels as of January 31, 2026. The measures also feature support for domestic demand, such as a Buy Canadian Policy requiring contracts over $25 million to prioritize Canadian materials, and collaboration with railways to reduce interprovincial freight rates for steel by 50%. Over $100 million is allocated to support employers in sectors with active Work-Sharing agreements. The Canada Border Services Agency will receive added resources to address steel dumping and ensure compliance with surtaxes.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate receives bill to modernize Energy Efficiency Act, targeting digital labels and online sales

Amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act were introduced in the Senate, aiming to update the legislation to reflect technological advances and changing consumer habits. The proposed changes expand the scope of the Act to include online sales and digital product labeling, introduce regulatory sandboxes, and streamline compliance and regulatory processes. Since 1995, the Act's regulations have helped Canadians save over $110 billion, with expected annual industrial sector savings of $743 million in 2030. The modernization is designed to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient equipment and reduce both costs and emissions for households and industry.

Sources: www.canada.ca

House of Commons committee reviews government’s labor market, housing, and employment initiatives

At HUMA Meeting No. 17, Minister Patty Hajdu outlined federal efforts to support job creation, youth employment, and affordable childcare, as well as the modernization of the job bank. The committee discussed topics including employment insurance reform, delays in adoptive parent benefits, funding for student grants, and the extension of affordable childcare programs. The impact of inflation in baby formula, forestry sector job losses, and funding for people with disabilities and union training were also reviewed. The session included questions about housing for persons with disabilities and the government's support for sectoral employment, with input from several MPs on program effectiveness and labor market adaptability.

Sources: parlvu.parl.gc.ca

Natural Resources committee examines US softwood lumber tariffs and Canadian industry competitiveness

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources convened to discuss the ongoing impact of US tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber. Steven Rustja, President of the Association of Lumber Remanufacturers of Ontario, described the repercussions for independent manufacturers, including risks of job losses and closures. Testimony from FPInnovations and GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. emphasized the need for innovation and rapid access to support programs, as well as diversification beyond the US market. Industry representatives cited high countervailing duties, a weak US market, and regulatory delays as key challenges.

Sources: parlvu.parl.gc.ca

Canada Border Services Agency and Foreign Affairs officials address forced labor import ban enforcement

At the International Trade committee, officials from Global Affairs Canada and the CBSA detailed current enforcement of Canada's ban on imports produced by forced labor. The discussion covered the complexities of supply chain traceability, cooperation with US and Mexican authorities, and operational challenges in identifying and detaining goods. Committee members raised questions on the effectiveness of current measures, resource needs, and the need for better information networks for importers. Legislative and procedural gaps between Canadian and US enforcement were discussed.

Sources: parlvu.parl.gc.ca

StatsCan releases third quarter 2025 data for commercial rents in major Canadian markets

Statistics Canada released the Commercial Rents Services Price Index for Q3 2025, providing updated figures on rent prices in key economic hubs. This data informs market participants about current trends in commercial lease costs, relevant for property development, investment planning, and construction sector outlooks.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Economic and Social Reports for November 2025 published by Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada published five new articles in its monthly Economic and Social Reports, offering current research and analysis on topics impacting Canadian economic and demographic trends. These reports provide additional context for stakeholders monitoring macroeconomic conditions relevant to construction and housing demand.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Machinery and Equipment Price Index for September 2025 now available

Statistics Canada released updated data for the Machinery and Equipment Price Index, reflecting price changes for key inputs in the construction and manufacturing sectors as of September 2025. These figures assist businesses in forecasting costs for capital expenditures and project budgeting.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, Q4 2025: Cost and labor remain top business challenges

The Canadian Survey on Business Conditions for Q4 2025 highlights that cost- and labor-related issues continue to be the primary obstacles facing businesses. The survey indicates that business optimism remains stable compared to previous quarters, offering insight into the prevailing operating environment for construction and housing sector firms.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan examines lessons from US 2018/2019 steel and aluminum tariffs

A new Statistics Canada study analyzes how Canadian steel and aluminum producers responded to 25% US tariffs on steel and 10% on aluminum imposed from June 2018 to May 2019. The report provides a historical reference for evaluating the potential effects of the latest US measures on Canadian industry.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Alberta and Canada commit $200 million to expand affordable housing

The governments of Alberta and Canada have pledged $200 million through the Affordable Housing Partnership Program to build thousands of new affordable homes across Alberta, with project selection based on local needs.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario introduces Barrie-Oro-Medonte-Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act to unlock new housing

Ontario's proposed boundary adjustment legislation would transfer 1,673 hectares from Oro-Medonte and Springwater to Barrie, supporting up to 8,000 new homes and facilitating major infrastructure projects.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Build Nova Scotia selects four sites for new public housing

Sites in Middleton, Windsor, Shubenacadie, and Springhill will see construction of up to 64 new public housing units as part of Nova Scotia’s plan to build 515 new units province-wide over five years.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Quebec allocates over $26 million for water pipeline renewal in Laval

The Quebec government has granted $26 million to the City of Laval to renew 13,520 meters of drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater pipelines in residential areas.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Manitoba and Canada invest $76.9 million in rural infrastructure for water and wastewater upgrades

The governments of Manitoba and Canada are investing $76.9 million to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural municipalities, supporting housing and community growth.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Government Consultations

Federal consultation launched on youth employment challenges

Employment and Social Development Canada has opened an online engagement, 'Building Canada Strong: Youth in the Labour Market,' soliciting input on youth employment challenges until December 19, 2025.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Build Canada Homes seeks ‘shovel-ready’ projects through its new proposal portal: The portal is now open for developers to submit housing projects eligible for federal support.
• Toronto suspends contractor with $200M in city projects in the past five years over rules breach: The City of Toronto has suspended a major contractor due to compliance issues.
• Building for the next generation: how one developer is tackling Canada’s housing crisis: A feature on developer strategies amid national housing demand.
• Prefabricated construction facility to fast track building homes amid affordability crisis: Coverage of new prefabrication capacity for rapid housing delivery.
• Business Brief: Major projects, major issues: Summary of key challenges facing large-scale construction and infrastructure projects.
• Why investing in people is Canada’s most critical infrastructure project: Discussion on workforce development in construction.
• First-of-its-kind housing conference in Halifax identifies need for many changes: Halifax conference brings together stakeholders to discuss housing solutions.
• Building for the next generation: how one developer is tackling Canada’s housing crisis: Profile on a developer's approach to the housing shortage.

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