May 24, 2026 to May 30, 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

• House Human Resources Committee Meeting—Study on Homelessness in Canada: The Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee (HUMA) will meet June 1, 3:30pm–5:30pm, to hear witness testimony on homelessness in Canada at Room 420, Wellington Building.
• House Finance Committee Schedules Pre-Budget Consultations: On June 2 from 3:30pm–7:45pm, the House Finance Committee (FINA) will hold televised pre-budget consultations with economists, business leaders, labour unions, and housing providers.
• International Trade Committee Examines Canada and the Forthcoming CUSMA Review: The International Trade Committee meets June 2, 11:00am–1:00pm, for testimony by manufacturing and construction industry representatives regarding the upcoming CUSMA review.
• Status of Women Committee: Shelters and Transitional Housing Study: The Status of Women Committee convenes June 2, 11:00am–1:00pm, to discuss the role of women's shelters and transitional housing in supporting women and girls in Canada.
• Senate Banking Committee to Review Bill C-20: Build Canada Homes: The Senate Banking, Commerce and Economy Committee meets June 3 at 4:15pm (in camera) for consideration of Bill C-20, which concerns the establishment of Build Canada Homes.

Federal Government News

Federal Plan to Recruit and Support 100,000 New Red Seal Trades Workers

On May 29, the Honourable Patty Hajdu outlined the Government of Canada’s multi-faceted approach to securing 100,000 new Red Seal apprentices by 2031, presented during the Skills Canada National Competition in Toronto. The announced $6 billion investment targets recruitment, training, and hiring. Initiatives include $2 billion dedicated to paid, job-ready placements leading to registered apprenticeships, along with a Build Canada Apprenticeship Service offering up to $10,000 for a first-year apprentice’s salary. Training upgrades will see $331 million allocated over five years for modernized training and expedited Red Seal certification, including a digital Red Seal Program. Hiring strategies will direct $3.4 billion to support apprentice advancement, a $5,000 completion bonus for certified apprentices, and a $400 weekly training top-up. Additional fiscal measures include enhancements to the Labour Mobility Deduction and a permanent Employee Ownership Trust tax exemption.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Investment in Wastewater Infrastructure to Support Residential Growth in Coaldale, Alberta

The federal government committed over $1.8 million under the Build Communities Strong Fund to upgrade the 16th Avenue Sanitary Trunk Main in Coaldale, Alberta. The project involves replacement of the existing pipeline with a 600mm sanitary trunk, improving system efficiency and capacity to address inflow, infiltration, and mitigate backup risks. This initiative positions Coaldale for future residential and commercial development, with construction scheduled to start this spring following completion of the planning and design phases. This funding is part of the broader $51 billion Build Communities Strong Fund for Canadian infrastructure.

Sources: www.canada.ca

New Federal Appointment to Waterfront Toronto Board Highlights Expertise in Urban Design

Naama Blonder, architect and urban planner, has been named to the Waterfront Toronto Board of Directors. Blonder, recognized for her award-winning work integrating architecture, planning, and urban design, is the co-founder of Smart Density. Her experience covers sector leadership in innovative density solutions, authoring guides such as 'The City-Builder’s Guide to Building the Missing Middle,' and advising industry and municipal stakeholders on housing affordability and urban expansion. Her appointment is part of the federal approach to advancing expertise in large-scale urban redevelopment projects.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Increased Federal Funding for St. Lawrence Shark Pavilion Construction

On May 26 in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Quebec, the Government of Canada announced an additional $700,000 in funding to the St. Lawrence Shark Pavilion project, bringing the federal commitment to $3.8 million. Backed by the Build Communities Strong Fund, this upgrade supports a facility set to open in summer 2027, managed by Exploramer Museum. The project involves extensive collaboration among multiple levels of government and private partners, representing a multi-year effort to boost local infrastructure and regional economic opportunities, with total investment exceeding $6.8 million when combined federal allocations and private contributions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

GCWood Program Backs Smiths Falls Pedestrian Bridge Incorporating Canadian Engineered Wood

The Confederation Drive Pedestrian Bridge in Smiths Falls, Ontario, was officially opened on May 22, following a $495,000 investment from Natural Resources Canada’s Green Construction Through Wood program. The facility marks continued support for Canadian-made wood and engineered products. This bridge supports pedestrian connectivity and aligns with federal procurement preferences for mass timber and advanced wood materials, as promoted by the Buy Canadian Policy and the Build Canada Homes agency.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatCan: Investment in Building Construction Registered a 1.3% Decline in March

Statistics Canada reported a $304.6 million decrease (–1.3%) in nationwide investment in building construction for March 2026, bringing the total to $22.6 billion for the month. The contraction has implications for building materials demand, financing, and workforce planning in residential and commercial sectors. Details at https://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/260525/dq260525b-eng.htm.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatCan Payroll Employment in Construction-Related Sectors Posts Marginal Decline

Statistics Canada’s latest release shows payroll employment decreased by 31,800 (–0.2%) in March, with total losses since February reaching 69,900 (–0.4%). Despite the short-term dip, payroll employment is slightly higher than one year ago (+23,700; +0.1%). Broader construction market impacts, including wage and hours worked data, are available at https://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/260528/dq260528b-eng.htm.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Machinery and Equipment Price Index Data for March Now Available

Market participants in construction trades and contractor supply chains can now access the March 2026 Machinery and Equipment Price Index (base 2016=100), offering price trend data relevant to capital planning and procurement. Full data at https://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/260529/dq260529g-eng.htm.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Backgrounder: Strengthening Rural Transit in Ontario Communities

The federal government issued a backgrounder outlining ongoing support for rural transit initiatives across Ontario, with an emphasis on improving mobility, access to jobsites, and linking outlying communities—potentially reducing project delays where workforce accessibility has been a limiting factor.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

BC Launches Affordable Housing Projects Across Greater Victoria

British Columbia opened 158 affordable rental homes at Caledonia in Victoria, with construction beginning on 320 additional homes in Saanich and Central Saanich. These developments are delivered through the provincial Community Housing Fund.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

New Rental Housing for Seniors and Middle-Income Households in Kamloops

Kamloops has 165 new homes open or under construction: 80 affordable rentals for seniors, families, and individuals at 346 Campbell Ave, and 85 homes for middle-income households at 377 Tranquille Rd., supported by the Community Housing Fund and BC Builds.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Investing $1.7 Billion to Expand High-Demand Program Capacity

Ontario announced $1.7 billion for an additional 70,000 college and university seats in health care, STEM, education, and skilled trades, as part of a $6.4 billion postsecondary education investment.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Funding Upgrades to Apprenticeship Training Facilities Across the GTA

Almost $1.75 million in Apprenticeship Capital Grants will modernize and expand six apprenticeship training centres in Durham, York, Peel, and Halton, covering trades from elevator mechanics to sheet metal and plumbing.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba and Federal Government Launch the Building Up Manitoba Program

The Building Up Manitoba Program provides up to $100,000 per business for employee training and workforce upskilling, supported by $3.5 million from the Canada-Manitoba Labour Market Transfer Agreements.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Housing starts held back by regulatory conditions, structural factors: CMHC: CMHC notes housing starts continue to be affected by regulatory and structural factors.
• Investment in housing construction is declining across Canada, data shows: National data reveal falling construction investment.
• A stronger foundation: Health and safety key to attracting construction’s next generation: Industry focus on health and safety in drawing new construction talent.
• As governments pour billions into new affordable housing, existing units in disrepair: Ongoing concerns regarding maintenance of Canada’s aging housing stock.
• Ontario HST rebate spurs new-construction house sales but condos continue to languish: Tax incentives affect housing type demand.
• Struggling condo developers ask banks to ease financing conditions: Developers advocate for more flexible project financing.
• More evidence that increasing new housing supply improves affordability: Analysis connects supply increases to affordability improvements.
• Vancouver’s Habitat 76 still delivering lessons in housing: Retrospective on a landmark Vancouver housing development.

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