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: 2026-04-19 to 2026-04-25

📋 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

• Finance Committee to Discuss Household Debt and Federal Spending Power: Scheduled for April 27, the House of Commons Finance Committee will meet from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to finalize a report on household debt and hear witness testimony on federal spending power.
• Industry and Technology Committee Reviews US Tariffs' Impact on Canadian Manufacturing: On April 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Industry and Technology Committee will study the economic and supply chain impacts of recent US tariffs on Canada’s metallurgical and advanced manufacturing sectors, with testimony from sector associations and industry representatives.
• Citizenship and Immigration Committee Continues Study of Canada's Immigration System: An April 27 session from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will feature witnesses including Amnesty International Canada and the Macdonald-Laurier Institute to address aspects of Canada’s immigration framework.
• Citizenship and Immigration Committee to Hear Experts on Immigration Policy: On April 29, the committee will take testimony from academic and NGO specialists related to immigration policy and the operation of Canada's immigration system, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Federal Government News

Federal Government Details $4 Billion Indigenous Housing Strategy

On April 24, Minister Gregor Robertson announced the federal approach for deploying $4 billion under the Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. The strategy designates approximately $1.7 billion to Build Canada Homes for Indigenous housing providers in urban, rural, and northern areas. Close to $2 billion will support distinctions-based agreements with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners, including a $780 million top-up to existing funding. An additional $300 million remains available through Indigenous Services Canada for priority projects already in the pipeline. Funding allocation aims to advance Indigenous-led solutions while supporting projects with immediate readiness for construction or upgrades across the country.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Major Projects Office Surpasses $126 Billion in Project Referrals in First Year

In a keynote address at the Empire Club on April 24, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson provided a detailed account of the federal Major Projects Office’s (MPO) progress, citing 15 major projects and six transformative strategies referred to the MPO to date, accounting for $126 billion in investment. The MPO was created following the passage of the Building Canada Act to establish a single point of contact for project proponents and reduce duplicative processes. The Minister cited recent approvals, including the Sunrise Expansion pipeline in British Columbia—owned by Enbridge and 38 First Nations—which will add 300 million cubic feet per day of natural gas transmission capacity and is slated to break ground this summer. Early milestones also included new uranium mine approvals and joint agreements on permitting standards across several provinces, signaling a shift toward expedited approvals for energy and infrastructure projects.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau Warns of Severe Consequences for Bid-Rigging on Public Contracts

On April 24, the Competition Bureau Canada issued a public notice to businesses regarding the consequences of collusion, such as bid-rigging and price-fixing, in relation to public contracts. The Bureau noted elevated risks for illegal agreements as procurement opportunities expand, cautioning that criminal charges, significant fines, possible prison terms of up to 14 years, debarment from future federal contracts, and exposure to class action lawsuits could result from violations of the Competition Act. This warning comes as the pace of public sector projects accelerates. The Bureau encourages all companies to make use of compliance resources to mitigate risks relating to competitive bidding in federal, provincial, and municipal public contracting.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Initiates Expiry Reviews of Concrete Reinforcing Bar Orders

On April 20, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) launched expiry reviews on anti-dumping findings concerning concrete reinforcing bar imported from Algeria, Egypt, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Oman, and Russia. The reviews will determine whether the expiry of duties is likely to lead to continued or resumed dumping and potential injury to Canada’s domestic industry. The Canada Border Services Agency will issue a preliminary determination by September 17, 2026. Should the results be affirmative, the Tribunal will assess injury to domestic producers by February 24, 2027. Trade participants may file to participate in the review process.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Public Services and Procurement Canada Addresses Fraud in Federal Contracting

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) on April 23 reported progress in an investigation into suspected overbilling and fraudulent activities by three subcontractors spanning multiple federal departments and Crown corporations. Following an internal investigation, PSPC suspended the security clearances of the subcontractors and referred the cases to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The RCMP has since laid charges against one individual. PSPC reiterates the importance of safeguarding the procurement system and encourages whistleblowers to use established federal reporting channels.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatCan: Investment in Building Construction Drops in February

Statistics Canada figures released April 20 show that the total value of investment in building construction fell by $503.2 million (a 2.1% decline) in February 2026, with the residential sector recording a 3.3% contraction. This marks a reversal in recent building investment activity and comes as residential developers face tightening market conditions.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Industrial Product and Raw Materials Price Indices Climb Sharply in March

On April 23, Statistics Canada reported the Industrial Product Price Index increased 2.4% in March over the previous month and was up 7.8% year-over-year. The Raw Materials Price Index advanced 12.0% for the month and 23.6% year-over-year. Escalating costs for key building materials and inputs are noted across supply chains, with potential implications for project budgeting.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Launch of Rural Transit Studies in Nova Scotia and Quebec Through Federal Funding

The federal government announced targeted transit investments in rural regions on April 24, committing $148,000 to three transit studies in Nova Scotia and nearly $500,000 in Quebec's Estrie region. Projects include modernization assessments for lower-emission vehicles in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley and the purchase of four new adaptive transit vehicles for the Haut-Saint-François RCM in Quebec, enhancing mobility solutions for residents with reduced mobility. These initiatives are aimed at improving accessibility and service quality in smaller communities.

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

Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Investment Supports Mississauga Transit Upgrades

A joint federal-provincial-municipal investment exceeding $14.3 million was unveiled April 21 to upgrade Mississauga’s bus storage and maintenance facilities in support of a transition to battery-electric vehicles. Funding will also facilitate the design and preliminary planning of eight kilometres of new bicycle infrastructure. These investments are designed to enable future fleet electrification and develop active transportation connections to GO Transit stations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National Safety and Health Week Event Announced for May

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety will launch Safety and Health Week 2026 with a national virtual event on May 4. Activities will encourage injury and illness prevention awareness at workplaces, with a focus on construction and related sectors. The event will feature industry speakers, a provincial family story, and the announcement of winners in a national youth safety video contest.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Advances Red Tape Reduction with POWER Act

Ontario introduced the Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026, to simplify permits and approval processes for business-facing projects and streamline services for high-demand jobs, including construction.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Thunder Bay to Gain More Supportive and Emergency Housing

Ontario invested $10.7 million through the Homelessness Prevention Program to build 66 supportive homes and 120 emergency shelter spaces across five projects in Thunder Bay.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Shifts Public Housing Project to Shannon Park

Nova Scotia announced that 100 public housing apartments for over 300 residents will be developed at Shannon Park in Dartmouth, as part of a federally supported plan for 930 affordable housing units.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Ontario Boosts Skilled Trades Training for Ironworkers

Ironworkers Local 759’s training centre in Thunder Bay will expand with $644,000 from the province, supporting the training of up to 150 new workers over five years in structural, ornamental, and welding skills.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Tables Bill to Cut Regulatory Burden for Construction

Bill 31 introduces changes such as removing monetary limits on adjudication for public works projects and adjusting recycling program administration, building on Alberta’s history of regulatory reductions.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Federal agency boosts number of affordable units it's helping with in Ottawa: Updates on expanded federal support for affordable housing in the capital.
• For Ontario new home buyers, cuts to development fees could mean big savings — depending where you buy: Analysis of development fee reductions and regional variance.
• Housing starts up in Winnipeg | Watch News Videos Online: Report on increased residential construction activity in Winnipeg.
• Warnings for homeowners as Surrey cracks down on illegal construction: Compliance risks highlighted as Surrey increases enforcement against illegal builds.
• New Edmonton program would reprimand infill builders with bad track records: Municipal efforts to improve builder accountability in infill construction.
• Why your home insurance is going up, how to live with grown kids, the Home of the Week and more top real estate stories: Factors contributing to higher home insurance costs.
• More young adults are moving home. Here are design ideas for the transition: Design solutions for multigenerational living arrangements.
• Spain making major investment in public housing and subsidies so people can afford homes: International perspective on government action to address housing affordability.
• PCL Construction is building a more sustainable world: Profile of a major Canadian contractor's innovation initiatives.
• Challenge accepted: Schneider Electric helps industry turn toughest problems into competitive advantage: Insight into new technology solutions in building operations.

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