June 07, 2026 to June 13, 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
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• HUMA Studies Homelessness and Housing Starts Impact June 15: The Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities committee meets June 15 to hear witnesses on homelessness in Canada, and to discuss housing starts in relation to federal programs. Meeting scheduled for 3:30–5:30 p.m. in Room 420, Wellington Building.
• Indigenous and Northern Affairs to Examine Affordability Challenges in the North June 16: On June 16, the Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee will study affordability issues in Northern Canada, including expert and community witness testimony. Meeting set for 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. in Room 410, Wellington Building.
• Natural Resources Committee Focuses on Electrification and Forestry Industry, June 16: The Natural Resources committee will review Canada's electrification strategy and energy self-sufficiency along with the forestry industry on June 16, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., with sectoral and industrial witnesses invited.
• Status of Women Committee Reviews Shelter and Housing Support Roles, June 18: On June 18, the Status of Women committee convenes to discuss the capacity of women's shelters and transitional housing across Canada, scheduled for 3:30–5:30 p.m. in Room 420, Wellington Building.
• Finance Committee Considers Bill C-30 Implementation of Spring Economic Update, June 19: The Finance committee will hold clause-by-clause examination of Bill C-30, the Act to implement provisions from the spring economic update, on June 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. at Room 430, Wellington Building.

Federal Government News

Joint Federal-Provincial Funding for Wastewater Infrastructure to Support Housing in Alberton, PEI

On June 12, the Government of Canada and Prince Edward Island announced over $3.4 million in joint funding through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund targeted at increasing housing capacity in Alberton. The funds will finance the construction of 680 metres of new residential streets with curbs, gutters, and an active transportation trail, along with installation of a complete wastewater conveyance system linked to a central treatment plant. Additionally, a new stormwater management system, including a detention pond and drainage infrastructure, is planned to control runoff and reduce flooding risk. These investments are intended to accommodate growth in both residential and commercial development. The project aligns with the Prince Edward Island Housing Strategy 2024-2029 and supports broader federal housing objectives, including new approaches to building and skilled trades careers.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Wastewater Expansion to Enable More Housing in Wellington, PEI

Canada and Prince Edward Island jointly committed over $1.1 million through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund for infrastructure in Wellington. The funding will pay for 230 metres of new sanitary sewer main, manholes, service laterals, and associated road restoration, all designed to support up to 16 new residential units in an upcoming subdivision. This infrastructure project furthers federal efforts to facilitate new housing supply and is intended to complement the Build Canada Homes initiative, which provides financing and technical support to homebuilders in Canada.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Canada Opens Applications for $76 Million Federal Infrastructure Fund

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced the opening of applications for the Build Communities Strong Fund’s Local Impact stream on June 8. With $76 million available, eligible communities, municipalities, and Indigenous organizations across Atlantic Canada can apply for funding to construct, repair, or upgrade local infrastructure. Projects supported by this fund are expected to foster job creation and community growth, as well as improve core public facilities. The announcement signals a regional focus on leveraging federal partnerships for infrastructure expansion.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Infrastructure Economic Account 2025: Updated Investment and Impact Data

Statistics Canada released updated data for the Infrastructure Economic Account for the year 2025. The new estimates provide insights into national infrastructure investment, capital stock, remaining service life, and both economic and environmental impacts of infrastructure systems. The data are consistent with the first quarter 2026 numbers from the Income and Expenditure Accounts. Industry professionals can consult this release for refined metrics relevant to infrastructure planning, asset management, and sectoral investment analysis.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Tribunal Finds Reasonable Indication of Injury from Chinese Plywood Imports

On June 9, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal issued a determination concerning the import of decorative and other non-structural plywood from China. The Tribunal found a reasonable indication that dumping and subsidizing of these products has caused, or threatens to cause, injury to Canadian industry. This follows investigations initiated by the Canada Border Services Agency. The Tribunal's ruling means CBSA will continue its probe and issue preliminary determinations by July 9. The outcome may affect importers and building material suppliers operating in the sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Building Permits Declined in April 2026

Statistics Canada reported a decrease in the value of Canadian building permits for April 2026. Total value slipped by $1.0 billion, or 7.6%, totalling $12.5 billion for the month. This metric provides a near-term indicator of construction sector momentum and feeds into projections for residential, commercial, and public development activity.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canada Tables Legislation to Ban Goods Produced by Forced Labour

On June 12, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand announced a new bill, An Act respecting the prohibition of the importation of goods produced by forced labour. The proposed legislation would reinforce and clarify existing federal measures by establishing processes for enforcement, inter-departmental information sharing, and supporting the tracing and interception of goods suspected of being linked to forced labour. If passed, the legislation is likely to require increased supply chain vigilance for importers and businesses engaged in construction materials trade.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Ontario Announce Transit Investments in Cobourg and Port Hope

Joint federal and provincial investments exceeding $1.76 million will fund public transit improvements in Cobourg and Port Hope, Ontario. Cobourg will receive three new gasoline buses, fare payment hardware, and upgrades for 10 bus stops. Port Hope's contribution has supported replacing three end-of-life transit vehicles. These allocations are intended to improve service reliability and accessibility for users of municipal transit systems supporting growing communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

FedDev Ontario Opens Local Infrastructure Funding Applications

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario announced the opening of applications for the Build Communities Strong Fund’s Local Impact Stream. With $330 million available over four years, not-for-profits, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and public bodies in southern Ontario can apply for funding to improve a variety of local infrastructure assets, including community spaces, recreation facilities, and parks. The funding seeks to drive local and regional economic development.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Hajdu Discusses Skilled Trades and Labour Market Resilience at G7 Meeting

At the G7 Labour and Employment Ministerial in Geneva on June 10, Minister Hajdu presented Canadian policies related to skilled trades recruitment and worker protections. Initiatives highlighted included Team Canada Strong, which aims to recruit and train skilled trades workers to meet Canada’s infrastructure, housing, and defence needs. Bilateral meetings with counterparts from the United States, European Union, Germany, France, and other G7 members informed potential future domestic policy directions in workforce development and skills training.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Quarterly Rent Statistics for Q1 2026 Now Available

Statistics Canada has released first quarter 2026 rent statistics for census metropolitan areas, using experimental data derived from major rental listing platforms. The program tracks asking rents for available units, providing further visibility into trends affecting the rental housing market nationwide.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Awards $8 Million to Kitchener for Meeting Housing Targets

Ontario will provide $8,013,600 in the third round of the Building Faster Fund to Kitchener after the city achieved over 85% of its 2025 housing target with 3,005 new housing starts. The province is also offering new incentives such as the Development Charge Reduction Program to support further housing development.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Construction Companies Fined Following Calgary Workplace Injury

Excel Management Limited Partnership and Benchmark Cribbing Inc. have each been fined $125,000 after pleading guilty to Occupational Health and Safety Act charges related to a serious injury incident at a residential development in Calgary.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba Invests $4.3 Million in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects

The Manitoba government announced $4.3 million in funding for water and sewer projects across rural regions, targeting system renewals and expansions in towns including Arborg, Emerson–Franklin, and Melita.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

British Columbia Expands Skilled-Trades Training in Okanagan

Okanagan College will add 256 new skilled-trades training seats, supporting a provincial commitment to deliver 5,000 new seats in 2026–27. The expansion aims to address labour needs in construction, critical minerals, and manufacturing sectors.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Awards Contract for $198 Million Ontario Place Parking Structure

Ontario selected Pomerleau Inc. to build a five-storey parking facility with 3,500 spaces and 680 electric vehicle charging stations at Ontario Place. The project is valued at $198 million and is part of broader waterfront redevelopment plans.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

Public Consultation on Amendments to Canada Labour Code Personal Protective Equipment Rules

Employment and Social Development Canada launched a 30-day consultation on June 12 to address inconsistencies across five occupational health and safety regulations regarding personal protective equipment. The proposed rules aim to ensure consistent technical standards, update terminology, and require PPE fitment to employee body dimensions.

Sources: gazette.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• New entry in Liberal leadership race focuses on housing and the economy: Leadership hopefuls bring attention to housing and economic issues.
• Petawawa prepares for construction boom thanks to major investment in military housing: Federal plans trigger increased residential development in Petawawa.
• 'You can’t build a house if you can’t flush the toilet' — The hidden housing bottleneck that lurks beneath Canadian cities: Infrastructure constraints cited as a limiting factor for new housing starts.
• Wave of purpose-built rental units gives tenants an edge in changing market: Market sees shift as new types of rental housing stock come online.
• The housing industry has become a new kind of empire, says 2026 CBC Massey Lecturer: Commentary on the multifaceted scale of the housing sector.
• Affordable housing, child-care waitlist dominate North Bay conference: Discussions center on ongoing supply and affordability challenges.
• Rents fall as new completions surge and demand slows, but rebound expected: CMHC: CMHC reports trends in rental pricing and construction completions.
• Port Alberni’s workforce pivots from forestry to green construction: Sector adaptation prompts local economic and labour market changes.
• More than 200 new affordable housing units in the works for Montreal: Montreal moves ahead with new projects to address housing needs.
• 'Trap houses' pose neighbourhood concerns. Could shelved N.L. law be a solution?: Newfoundland and Labrador considers community safety strategies.

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