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: 2026-04-05 to 2026-04-11

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Public Accounts Committee to Examine Auditor General Report on Housing for CAF Members: On April 13, the House Public Accounts Committee will review the Auditor General’s Fall 2025 report on housing for Canadian Armed Forces members, with witness testimony from the Canadian Forces Housing Agency and Department of National Defence.
• Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee Studies Modernizing Quebec and Canada’s Ports: On April 13, the Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee will hold hearings on supporting, diversifying, and modernizing Quebec and Canada's ports, featuring witnesses from key industry groups and authorities.
• Finance Committee Addresses Household Debt in Canada with Multiple Agency Witnesses: The Finance Committee will meet April 13 to study household debt in Canada, hearing from officials at the Financial Consumer Agency, Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, Statistics Canada, and members of the insolvency and credit industries.
• Transport Committee to Review Canada Infrastructure Bank Loan for Mersey River Wind Project: Scheduled for April 15, the Transport Committee will discuss the Canada Infrastructure Bank's loan to the Mersey River wind project, with Minister Gregor Robertson, departmental officials, and industry representatives providing testimony.

Federal Government News

Prime Minister Carney Launches the $51 Billion Build Communities Strong Fund

The federal government has officially launched the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF), providing $51 billion over 10 years starting in 2026-27, with a permanent $3 billion per year allocation moving forward. The fund invests broadly in infrastructure priorities supporting housing, sport, education, health, transit, and climate adaptation. The first tranche of projects was announced in multiple communities, including major upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta. Notably, the BCSF leverages provincial and territorial cost-matching and encourages integration of private capital, applying a 'Buy Canadian Policy' to prioritize domestic suppliers and materials. Provinces accessing the fund will be required to commit to reducing development charges that impede housing construction and forgo adding taxes that slow the supply of new homes. The direct delivery stream of the BCSF encourages participation from the private sector through the Canada Infrastructure Bank for regionally significant projects. Infrastructure investments under the BCSF are intended to support an average of 42,000 jobs annually and supply a projected $95 billion boost to the national GDP over the coming decade.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Investments Enable Housing Growth in Multiple Communities

Recent federal announcements detail significant investments in water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure intended to unlock new residential construction. In Caraquet and Belle-Baie, New Brunswick, joint federal-provincial-municipal funds through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund will deliver upgraded pipes, storm sewers, new fire hydrants, and lift stations, expected to facilitate 125 and 280 housing units respectively. In Cornwall, PEI, Phase 1 of a water and wastewater main extension and a 70-unit development received over $21 million in federal support. Bridgewater and Halifax, Nova Scotia, will see sewer modernization and expanded wastewater collection encompassing nearly $29 million in federal contributions, supporting both current residents and additional housing capacity. In Iqaluit, Nunavut, $108 million is set aside to enhance municipal water systems, unlocking the development of 2,000 to 2,500 new homes by 2031. St. Albert, Alberta, will benefit from a $28 million project extending trunk sewer, storm mains, and water systems to serve 800 acres of future residential development. In Laval, Quebec, $8 million will be spent redeveloping key streets and expanding sanitary infrastructure, enabling 1,790 housing units to be created or maintained.

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

Canada-Quebec Affordable Housing Collaboration Advances with New Projects Approved

Canada and Quebec, under a memorandum of understanding signed in January, have expanded their coordinated deployment of the Build Canada Homes program across the province. Three new projects announced this week will see the construction of 77 additional housing units tailored for independent seniors, vulnerable individuals, and women and children who have experienced domestic violence. These join a larger pipeline of nearly 865 affordable homes backed by more than $200 million in joint investments. In Montreal, the Lakou pataj project was selected to receive $31.4 million for the creation of 33 transitional housing units supporting people at risk of homelessness. These initiatives utilize federal streams such as the Quebec Affordable Housing Program and are supported by local community organizations, aiming to broaden access to stable housing for low- and moderate-income groups.

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

Labour Ministers Endorse Accelerated Timelines for Construction Sector Health and Safety Training Harmonization

Federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for labour convened in Quebec City to advance measures affecting construction industry workforce mobility and safety. The group endorsed a comprehensive workplan to harmonize occupational health and safety training for construction, with accelerated completion targets. Jurisdictions will move toward uniform standards on Working at Heights and Mobile Elevating Work Platforms training by January 1, 2027, and begin consultation on Hoisting and Rigging and Trenching and Shoring. Further collaboration will address Entry-level Construction Worker and Construction Supervisor training by May 2027. The ministers also directed the formation of a working group to develop an interjurisdictional training approach, with a progress report due by fall 2026. Additional action items included regulatory harmonization efforts and a joint federal-provincial plan to address worker misclassification in the trucking sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada: Nominal Investment in Residential Construction Up 2.9% in 2025

Statistics Canada released the Housing Economic Account for 2025, showing a nominal increase of 2.9% in investment in residential dwellings, marking a second straight year of growth. The expansion contributed to a 1.6% rise in the national stock of dwelling units over the year. This data reflects continued demand for residential building and ongoing capital flows into the sector.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Labour Force Survey, March 2026: National Employment Rate Holds, Construction Employment Reports in Multiple Provinces

According to the March 2026 Labour Force Survey, national employment increased by 14,000 jobs (+0.1%) with the employment rate steady at 60.6%. The national unemployment rate remains unchanged at 6.7%. Provincial-level statements (see provincial section) provide further details on sector-specific trends.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

British Columbia Defers Private Member’s Professional Reliance Bill, Will Examine Permit Reform for Housing Construction

BC Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Christine Boyle, announced that the province will not proceed with Bill M216 (Professional Reliance Act) at this time but intends to consult further on expanding regulated professionals’ roles in expediting permits for new housing.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba Mandates Hot Water for Handwashing at Large Construction Sites

Manitoba has amended workplace health requirements to mandate hot water handwashing for all construction projects over 600 square metres, above three storeys, or employing over 25 workers, effective April 1, 2027.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Ontario and Canada Fund New Affordable and Supportive Housing in Guelph

Two projects in Guelph, supported by over $5.9 million in combined federal-provincial funding, will add supportive and transitional housing units for at-risk youth and expand emergency shelter capacity.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Celebrates Expansion of Major Skills Training Centre in Cambridge

The province marked the completion of a major upgrade to the LiUNA Local 837 training centre in Cambridge, expanding capacity to train 5,000 more construction apprentices and workers over five years.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Budget 2026–27 and Powering the Economy Act Deliver Investments for Housing and Infrastructure

Nova Scotia's spring legislative session concluded with the passage of a budget that includes $300 million in joint federal-provincial investment to support 1,430 new homes, continued support for affordable housing projects, and new initiatives for long-term care and energy infrastructure.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Affordable housing projects paused by Region of Waterloo due to high costs of construction, financing: Construction and financing costs lead to delays in new builds.
• Builder says affordability will suffer without blanket rezoning replacement: Industry concern regarding municipal zoning changes and housing affordability.
• Canada housing crisis: Who will build 4 million new homes?: National discussion on labour supply and construction targets.
• Build Canada Homes deal clears first hurdle at city hall: Municipal partnership with Build Canada Homes moves ahead.
• Electra Awards $7.8 Million in Construction Contracts for Refinery Infrastructure: Electra awards contracts for construction of refinery infrastructure.
• Ontario Adds New Power 73 Per Cent Lower Than Former Government: The province secures new energy capacity through competitive procurement.
• How to ease the price squeeze on the construction industry: Editorial on managing rising costs in construction.
• Ontario Continues to Call for the Full Removal of Duties and Tariffs on Softwood Lumber: Ontario continues lobbying for the elimination of cross-border lumber duties.
• Housing minister on whether Canada's workforce can keep up with its infrastructure demands: Ministerial remarks on skilled trades and construction workforce challenges.
• Canada’s housing affordability “crisis”; Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe classic, Tree of Heaven; and the importance of guilt: National broadcast discusses the current housing market and affordability.

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