April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026

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.

📋 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

• HUMA Committee: Housing Starts and Federal Programs, May 4, 2026: The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities will meet on May 4, 3:30–5:30 p.m., to review housing starts in relation to federal programs, featuring testimony from the Canadian Home Builders' Association, Amended Section Missing Middle Initiative, and REALPAC.
• OGGO Committee: Main Estimates 2026-27, May 5, 2026: The Government Operations and Estimates Committee will meet May 5, 3:30–5:30 p.m., to study the Main Estimates 2026-27, including allocations for Public Works, Shared Services, Treasury Board, Canada Post, and related departments.
• Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs: Veterans' Homelessness, May 6, 2026: The Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs will convene May 6, 12:00 p.m., with witnesses from Veterans Affairs Canada and Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada to address veterans' homelessness.
• Senate Banking Committee: SME Access to Credit and Capital, May 7, 2026: On May 7 at 10:30 a.m., the Senate Standing Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy will assess access to capital for SMEs, with testimonies from The51, Evol, and Shorefast.

Federal Government News

Federal Spring Economic Update 2026 Unveils Team Canada Strong—$6B for Skilled Trades

The Spring Economic Update 2026 outlines $6 billion for Team Canada Strong, setting out to recruit, train, and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal skilled trades workers over the next five years nationwide. This funding includes $2 billion for paid, job-ready apprentice placements and the launch of the Build Canada Apprenticeship Service, which will provide up to $10,000 for an apprentice’s first-year salary and further support navigation and hiring for employers. Modernization of the Red Seal Program will be advanced by $331 million over five years, rolling out digital logbooks, online exams, secure credentials, and a single national apprenticeship number. The eligibility and overall apprenticeship certification process aim to reduce certification timelines by half. In addition, apprentices will receive a $400 weekly top-up while in mandatory in-class training, potentially totaling $16,000 per apprentice, on top of EI, and those achieving Red Seal certification will receive a one-time $5,000 completion bonus. These measures, spanning all regions, are intended to accelerate capacity for meeting increased housing, major project, and infrastructure targets through a more robust skilled trades pipeline.

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

Housing, Infrastructure, and Major Community Investments in Budget 2025 and 2026 Update

Federal and provincial governments have marked continued progress on several major infrastructure projects. These include the $1.7 billion federal transit investment in Hamilton LRT, now in the civil and utility work phase, managed by the Hamilton Transit Alliance (Aecon-led) with Ontario’s Metrolinx. The project, covering utility relocations, bridges, sidewalks, and advanced traffic controls, will connect transit corridors to employment and residential hubs. In Vancouver, $9.8 million has been allocated toward planning and pre-construction of the Canada Soccer National Training Centre, with $755 million nationwide to boost sport infrastructure. The government also confirmed $4 million to the Mayflower Curling Club’s new, accessible facility in Halifax as part of its $755 million investment in community sports. These investments form a core of current nation-building undertakings, with housing and sport facilities among the targeted priorities.

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

StatsCan: Q1 2026 Building Construction Costs Continue Uptrend

Statistics Canada reports a 0.6% rise in residential building construction costs in Q1 2026, following a 0.5% increase in the previous quarter. Non-residential construction costs increased by 0.5% for the same period, maintaining the pace observed in Q4 2025. This sequential growth in costs is relevant for developers, contractors, and material suppliers amid ongoing inflationary pressures in the construction sector.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Machinery and Equipment Price Index—February 2026 Data Published

The February 2026 update to the Machinery and Equipment Price Index (2016=100) is available, providing a timely reference for firms evaluating capital expenditures on construction equipment and related assets. The index assists in forecasting procurement budgets and cost escalation for mechanical and trades contractors.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Union Training and Innovation Program Expansion Detailed

Additional Spring Economic Update measures target union-run training centres, with funds set to upgrade facilities, expand training capacity, and invest in new equipment. The expansion is planned nationally, supporting training providers’ ability to scale up for anticipated skilled labour demand in residential and commercial construction, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing sectors.

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

Armed Forces Pathways to the Skilled Trades Announced

Team Canada Strong allocates $250 million over five years, and $45 million ongoing, to create skilled trades pathways in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for youth Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers, including the opportunity to complete apprenticeships while participating in defence operations. This approach addresses workforce shortfalls by integrating training with operational readiness across critical infrastructure and energy project domains.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Awards Hamilton LRT Civil Works Contract

Ontario has awarded the Hamilton LRT Civil and Utilities contract to the Hamilton Transit Alliance led by Aecon, supporting utility relocations, bridge construction, and transit corridor upgrades, with projected creation of 6,000 construction jobs annually and up to 1,000 permanent positions.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

British Columbia's Look West Strategy Attracts Major Project Investment

B.C. added 17 projects to its major project inventory under its Look West strategy, targeting $200 billion investment by 2035, with $88 billion in new projects expected to bring tens of thousands of jobs, including significant investments in BC Hydro’s North Coast Transmission Line and the Cedar LNG expansion.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta Announces $400M in New Continuing Care Home Spaces

Alberta will allocate more than $400 million to deliver over 1,100 continuing care home spaces in 11 projects, as part of its multi-year investment in expanding assisted living capacity in response to population growth.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Nova Scotia Launches Public Housing Tracking Website

The Nova Scotia government’s new online portal provides public updates on the province’s commitment to build 515 public housing units, with more than half underway or complete, part of a $251 million investment.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

BC Opens 60 New Supportive Homes in Surrey

Bentley Place, a new six-storey, 60-unit supportive housing project in Surrey built with $18.5 million in provincial and $11.4 million in federal funding, offers 24/7 support and services, as part of ongoing efforts to address homelessness.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Carney government commits $6 billion to boost skilled trades: Federal skilled trades announcement draws industry attention.
• With $6-billion boost, Ottawa hopes to shore up labour force for its building agenda: Ottawa’s skilled trades push analyzed.
• Builders in Ontario unsure how to proceed as HST rebate raises questions: Uncertainty persists around Ontario HST rebates for new builds.
• B.C. trades educators, construction sectors hail 'unprecedented' spending to skilled trade workforce: Stakeholder reactions to provincial trade spending in B.C.
• Canada’s need for skilled trades workers will far outstrip boost from Ottawa’s new plan: Media note ongoing skilled trades gap.
• New affordable housing block will help dozens on 'journey out of homelessness': Housing Alliance CEO: Manitoba project opens new affordable housing.
• Habitat for Humanity is developing a new Atlanta community with help from the Carters' initiative: Habitat project underway in Atlanta.
• Faith in Housing bill crosses finish line, clears path for church-based affordable housing: New U.S. bill enables church-based affordable housing.
• The International Code Council’s Building Safety Month Advances Public Safety and Community Resilience: Building safety’s growing focus in May.
• The dual housing-happiness crisis, possible interest rate hikes ahead, the Home of the Week and more top real estate stories: Broader trends in housing markets and sentiment.

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