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: 2026-04-12 to 2026-04-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• HUMA Committee to Study Bill C-20, Build Canada Homes: On April 20, the Human Resources committee will study Bill C-20 (Build Canada Homes), with witnesses including the Residential Construction Council of Ontario and the Building Industry and Land Development Association, 3:30–6:30 p.m., Room 420, Wellington Building.
• Industry Committee Reviews Economic and Supply Chain Impacts of US Tariffs: On April 20, the Industry and Technology committee meets to examine US tariffs' effects on metallurgical and manufacturing sectors, 3:30–5:30 p.m., Room 415, Wellington Building. Industry stakeholders including the Canadian Association of Moldmakers will appear.
• Finance Committee Probes Household Debt in Canada: The Finance Committee will study household debt challenges in Canada on April 20, with expert testimony scheduled from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Witnesses include policy analysts and representatives from the insolvency sector.
• Senate Energy Committee to Consider Bill S-4, Amending Energy Efficiency Act: On April 21, the Senate Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee will consider Bill S-4 with testimony from Efficiency Canada and the Canadian Environmental Law Association, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
• Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs Examines Veterans' Homelessness: The Senate's Veterans Affairs Subcommittee meets April 22 to discuss veterans' homelessness, hearing from Centre CASA, Ottawa Innercity Ministries, and Veterans Association witnesses by videoconference.

Federal Government News

Joint Federal-Provincial Investment to Expand Housing Infrastructure in Saskatchewan

On April 13, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada announced a joint $25.9 million investment with Saskatchewan through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund. This initiative targets enhancements to water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste systems in Regina, Saskatoon, and Moose Jaw, supporting up to 29,370 new housing units. Regina’s Taylor Field Redevelopment will receive infrastructure upgrades essential for a seven-acre housing expansion. Saskatoon will see its Material Recovery Centre expanded to handle more construction and demolition waste, improving landfill diversion rates. Moose Jaw's Spring Creek Stormwater Management Project includes pipe replacement, road upgrades, and system rerouting, mitigating flood risk and enabling further housing growth. These infrastructure improvements are part of a strategy to address housing shortages, enable efficient land use, and support skilled trades.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA Initiates Investigations Into Alleged Dumping and Subsidizing of Chinese Plywood

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) launched an investigation on April 10 into whether decorative and other non-structural plywood from China is being dumped and/or subsidized. This action responds to a complaint from Columbia Forest Products and the Canadian Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association, which cites lost sales, market share erosion, price undercutting, and employment impacts. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will determine by June 9 if Canadian producers are being harmed and CBSA will make a preliminary decision by July 9. The ongoing probe highlights increased scrutiny on construction material imports, which represented $3.3 billion in imports under SIMA duties in 2025, impacting 43,728 Canadian jobs.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CITT Preliminary Injury Inquiry Into Chinese Plywood Imports

On April 13, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal initiated a preliminary injury inquiry regarding alleged dumping and subsidization of decorative and other non-structural plywood from China. Columbia Forest Products and the Canadian Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association lodged the complaint. The Tribunal’s process is pursuant to the Special Import Measures Act. By June 9, the Tribunal will determine if a reasonable indication of injury exists; if so, CBSA will issue preliminary determinations by July 9. The case may result in final duties or remedies affecting construction material sourcing and procurement across sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Launches Consultation on Labour Relations Modernization

On April 17, Ministers Patty Hajdu and John Zerucelli announced federal consultations aimed at modernizing Canada’s federal labour relations framework. Stakeholders from employer groups, unions, and other representatives may provide input on potential changes, including revised collective bargaining timelines, expanded training supports for workers impacted by automation and AI, workplace health and safety updates, and enhanced protections against misclassification and wage theft. The consultation period runs until May 18, with both virtual and written submissions accepted. Recommendations gathered may inform amendments to the Canada Labour Code impacting construction, transportation, and other federally regulated sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Consultation Document Released: Proposals for Updating the Canada Labour Code

Employment and Social Development Canada released a detailed backgrounder on April 17 outlining the scope of consultations to update the Canada Labour Code. The document considers adjustments to collective bargaining and cooling-off timelines, a new special mediator role during disputes, options for sectoral and essential service bargaining models, expedited grievance arbitration, measures addressing worker misclassification/wage theft, and harmonization of occupational health and safety standards. Input is sought from stakeholders in all federally regulated sectors, including construction, transportation, and building services. Measures could influence employer obligations, dispute procedures, labour mobility, and regulatory compliance.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Regional Tariff Response Initiative Supports Edmonton-Area Industrial Manufacturers

Prairies Economic Development Canada announced $8.4 million in funding for manufacturing and building materials businesses in the Edmonton area under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. Supported projects include facility upgrades for modular building production (Alta-Fab Enterprises Ltd.), artificial intelligence integration for residential construction (Akash Homes), installation of a mobile steel culvert manufacturing mill (Armtec Inc.), and expanded steel processing capabilities (Whitemud Ironworks). Flexxaire Inc. will implement advanced automation in a two-phase program, and Weldco-Beales Manufacturing will scale specialized steel attachments. These targeted investments address productivity, cost, and supply chain challenges linked to foreign tariffs.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Support for Business Growth in Delta and Richmond, British Columbia

Pacific Economic Development Canada announced on April 17 over $10.5 million invested in nine companies in Delta and Richmond to advance manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and export development. Santevia Water Systems will scale up domestic manufacturing and modernize sales infrastructure. Richmond Plywood Corporation will use $1 million to upgrade its facility, potentially increasing Canadian-made plywood availability. The measures are positioned to address material shortages and facilitate construction sector project delivery across Western Canada.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal-Provincial Program to Support Workers in Northwest Territories Affected by Tariffs

On April 17, the Canadian and Northwest Territories governments announced a $1.5 million, three-year investment to aid workers affected by US tariffs and market shifts, with a focus on retraining and employment services. This funding, provided through the Canada–Northwest Territories Workforce Tariff Response, will be integrated into existing labour market supports and is intended for sectors including diamond mining and construction materials. Eligibility extends to NWT residents impacted by tariffs seeking upskilling or alternative employment.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: February Building Permits Show Notable Decline

Statistics Canada reported an 8.4% decrease in the total value of building permits issued in February 2026, down $1.1 billion to $12.1 billion. This decline signals changes in planned construction activity nationally, with potential implications for construction volumes, supplier demand, and workforce scheduling in coming months.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan: Manufacturing Sales Climb, Machinery and Metals Lead Gains

The Monthly Survey of Manufacturing for February shows a 3.6% rise in manufacturing sales, primarily driven by transportation equipment, machinery, and primary metals, with the chemical subsector posting the sharpest decrease. The uptick in machinery and metals could influence material availability and input prices for builders and contractors.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

FCAC Opening Statement to Senate Committee on Household Debt and Market Conduct

On April 14, Commissioner Shereen Benzvy Miller told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that the proportion of Canadians reporting increased debt was 40% in 2025, up from 35% in 2020. FCAC’s research and supervisory activities led to banks proactively contacting over 165,000 at-risk mortgage holders, resulting in $7.85 million in averted penalties as of December 2025. Regulatory developments in recent years include capped NSF fees and strengthened consumer disclosure. Banks paid nearly $27 million in penalties and reimbursed over $130 million since 2024 for breaches. These developments inform household credit, mortgage, and default risk landscapes facing the construction, real estate, and property management sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

B.C. Opens 58 Affordable Homes for Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Nation Members

The B.C. government, in partnership with federal agencies and the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Nation, opened 58 affordable homes near Kamloops, including apartments and townhouses for Elders, people with disabilities, and low-income families.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Quebec Announces New Refundable Tax Credit for First-Time Home Buyers

Effective January 1, 2026, Quebec’s new tax credit reimburses up to $5,875 in transfer duties for first-time buyers, expected to benefit about 38,000 households annually.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Alberta Allocates $600 Million for Modular Classrooms to Meet Enrolment Growth

The Alberta government is investing $600 million over three years for 189 modular classrooms and other units to address rapid school enrolment, with $200 million allocated in 2026–27 and most projects ready by the next school year.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

B.C. Amends Short-Term Rental Opt-Out Process for Municipalities With High Vacancy Rates

Municipalities in B.C. with two consecutive years of rental vacancy rates above 3% may opt out of provincial principal residence restrictions for short-term rentals earlier, enabling them to accommodate summer tourism demand starting June 1 in eligible communities such as Kelowna.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Launches Peak Performance Program for Commercial HVAC Demand Response

Ontario’s new Peak Performance program offers financial incentives for commercial and institutional buildings to reduce HVAC use during summer peak demand, targeting up to 100 megawatts of reduction in 2026 and expanding to 230 megawatts by 2027.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

What We're Reading This Week

• OPINION: Historic announcement on development charges marks significant progress for housing industry: Discussion of changes to development charges and industry response.
• Canadian housing starts fell 6% in March, CMHC says: CMHC reports a monthly decline in housing starts, adding new data on market activity.
• CMHC reports annual rate of housing starts slowed in March: Annualized slowdown in housing starts noted by CMHC.
• Canada’s labour ministers agree to ‘harmonize’ some workplace safety standards: Labour ministers reach agreement on harmonizing safety standards across provincial lines.
• Halifax drops plan to require affordable housing units in new buildings: Halifax city officials shift away from mandatory affordable housing units policy.
• Construction leaders working to improve how major projects are planned: Industry leaders assess strategies for efficient project planning.
• California cities scramble to comply with or fight major state housing law: Report on challenges facing local authorities over state-level housing regulation.
• Rising Tide and Crossroads for Women collaborate on housing project: Collaboration in New Brunswick on a new housing project.
• Canada must break stigma around skilled trades jobs, Jobs Minister says: Minister voicing perspectives on workforce development in skilled trades.
• Tentative contract deal holds off strike by New York City apartment building workers: Developments in U.S. property management sector labour negotiations.

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