This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news related to residential and commercial construction as well as infrastructure and government initiatives and programs concerning housing and housing affordability. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Dates: 2026-03-29 to 2026-04-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Canada and Quebec announce $200 million investment for nearly 865 new affordable, supportive and transitional homes

The Governments of Canada and Quebec have committed $200 million for the construction of nearly 865 new affordable homes across Quebec, as announced in Québec City by the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, and Caroline Proulx, Quebec Minister responsible for Housing. Of these, 14 supportive and transitional housing projects will create more than 390 homes for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, people with disabilities, and those with complex mental health needs. The Îlôt Saint-Vincent-de-Paul project in Québec City is among the first to move forward. Funding is evenly split between the two governments, with Build Canada Homes providing $65 million for capital costs and Quebec contributing another $65 million, in addition to funding to cover ongoing operating costs. Four additional affordable housing projects, nearly 475 homes, are backed by $35 million each from Canada and Quebec. The announcement highlights ongoing federal-provincial partnerships advancing affordable and supportive housing development.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal government extends Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative with $125 million investment

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada confirmed a $125 million extension for the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative (UHEI), providing continued funding to support transitional and supportive housing, expand outreach services, and improve shelter space capacity. As part of Build Canada Homes, which has committed to over 10,000 homes to date, the government invests $1 billion to create additional supportive and transitional housing nationwide. The UHEI operates in concert with Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy and Canada’s Housing Plan. The federal government continues to consult with stakeholders and partners to assess further collaborative responses to homelessness.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau releases 2026-2027 Annual Plan prioritizing affordability and choice in essential markets

The Competition Bureau published its 2026-2027 Annual Plan, committing to prioritize investigations of anti-competitive conduct and mergers particularly in sectors that impact key household expenses including housing. The Bureau aims to reduce hidden costs through enforcement activity on deceptive marketing, and intends to encourage all levels of government to adopt pro-competition policies. Areas of focus include reducing barriers to entry in the housing sector and expanding market choice. These actions form part of the Bureau’s vision to extend market competition and economic resilience.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Over $7.1 million in federal funding awarded to Brandon, MB for business and homebuilding innovation

Prairies Economic Development Canada outlined new support for regional economic diversification and supply chain resilience in Brandon, Manitoba. Projects funded include the expansion of Greenstone Building Products Ltd.’s steel framing manufacturing for the homebuilding sector, automation at Behlen Industries LP to boost steel welding line capacity, and a new Mechatronics Engineering Technology program at Assiniboine College. Investments range from non-repayable contributions for local business incentives to repayable support for facility upgrades. The funding is aimed at stimulating innovation, supporting the homebuilding supply chain, and building skilled labour capacity for Manitoba’s construction and manufacturing sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada invests in Esquimalt jetty infrastructure and launches $3.7 billion military housing expansion

Veterans Affairs Canada announced $1.1 billion for the replacement of the aging A and B jetties at CFB Esquimalt, strengthening naval operations and seismically modernizing Pacific Coast infrastructure. The Esquimalt jetty construction is expected to support approximately 1,280 jobs. A subsequent military housing initiative includes 7,500 new units at 25 sites nationwide, forming part of a national housing construction program valued at over $3.7 billion. These investments are linked to Canada’s delivery of NATO’s 2% GDP defence spending target and a long-term plan to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces while increasing economic activity in construction and related trades.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Alberta and Canada formalize co-operation agreement on project assessments to expedite major infrastructure

The Governments of Canada and Alberta signed a co-operation agreement on environmental and impact assessment for major projects. Under the framework, announced by federal Minister Julie Dabrusin and Alberta Minister Grant Hunter, the two parties will adopt adaptable assessment processes minimizing administrative repetition. This agreement responds to the prior Canada-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding and is designed to improve timelines for major infrastructure and resource projects, increase regulatory predictability, and reinforce environmental protection measures.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal funding supports rural transit planning in Southern New Brunswick

The federal government committed $100,000 for two public transit planning and research projects in rural southern New Brunswick. The Fundy Regional Service Commission will use $50,000 for a regional engagement and needs assessment, while the Southeast Regional Service Commission also receives $50,000 for transport planning research. The projects are intended to facilitate improved transit connectivity and access to employment, education, and services for rural communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan releases Canadian Housing Statistics Program experimental estimates for 2023-2024

Statistics Canada published new experimental estimates on private dwelling counts for Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia, covering the 2023 and 2024 reference years. The dataset provides updated information on housing stock distributions across several provinces.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Survey data from Non-Bank Mortgage Lenders, Q4 2025, now available

Data for the fourth quarter of 2025 from the Survey of Non-Bank Mortgage Lenders has been released, with revisions to the third quarter numbers. The data informs activity and lending patterns among non-bank mortgage originators.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

January 2026 Sawmills statistics show 16.2% rise in lumber production month over month

Lumber production in Canada increased to 3,374.5 thousand cubic metres in January 2026, a 16.2% rise from December. Despite the monthly rise, production is down 12.8% compared to January 2025, according to new data from Statistics Canada.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing Services Price Index available for Q4 2025

Statistics Canada has published the latest data from the Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing Services Price Index for the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting updated cost trends for key construction and industrial rental inputs.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario and Canada sign $8.8B partnership: cutting development charges, supporting infrastructure and HST relief

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney concluded an agreement to deliver $8.8 billion for housing-enabling infrastructure over ten years while committing to reduce municipal development charges by up to 50% and expanding HST rebates for new homes.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario proposes Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act to reduce red tape in construction

The Ontario government introduced legislation to simplify planning approvals, reduce barriers for homebuilding, streamline Building Code review, and clarify site plan and development charge rules, aiming at accelerating housing and transportation infrastructure.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Quebec tables Bill No. 27 on collective agreement decrees and construction industry reforms

Bill No. 27 proposes to amend roughly twenty provisions affecting administrative and legislative aspects of collective agreements in construction, seeking to reduce amendment timelines, administrative constraints, and certain costs in the sector.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

British Columbia advances legislative amendments to increase local flexibility cutting development charges

BC's proposed legislative changes would permit local governments to waive or reduce development charges on additional housing types, thereby expanding eligibility for federal infrastructure funding and reducing project up-front costs.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta introduces Bill 28, the Municipal Affairs and Housing Statutes Amendment Act, to modernize approvals and enhance accountability

The Alberta government tabled legislation to speed homebuilding via automated permitting ('Automatic Yes'), adjust off-site levy rules, prohibit vacancy taxes, and set province-wide councillor conduct standards and transparent property tax reporting.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on Etofenprox-based Premise Sprays open until April 11, 2026

Health Canada is consulting on the proposed registration of etofenprox-based sprays for structure pest control, with public submissions accepted through April 11.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Mark Carney, Doug Ford to cut development charges by up to 50 per cent to boost housing construction: Carney and Ford unveil new measures for Ontario’s housing market.
• Feds, Ontario pool $8.8B for housing infrastructure to cut development fees: Federal and provincial governments plan significant infrastructure spending tied to lower fees.
• Will Carney and Ford’s plan to cut development charges boost housing construction? Star readers weigh in: Public reaction to Ontario’s development charge reforms and likely effects.
• Buying a new build home? Say bye to the HST: Coverage of HST rebates for new home buyers.
• Ontario, Ottawa aim to cut housing development charges by 50% to spur building: Governments announce coordinated funding supporting reduced fees.
• A bottleneck of builders: Oromocto braces for shortage of tradespeople in wake of federal funding: Concerns rise about skilled trades workforce as new housing funds flow.
• How Quebec’s Bill 20 could impact access to affordable housing, including co-ops: Analysis of proposed Quebec legislation on housing supply and affordability.
• California considering a first of its kind idea to boost factory-built housing: US reporting on modular and factory-driven residential construction trends.

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