June 21, 2026 to June 27, 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

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

Federal Government News

Federal Investments Accelerate Water and Sewer Infrastructure for Housing in Campbellton, New Brunswick

The Government of Canada announced more than $561,000 in federal funding, along with $374,000 from New Brunswick and $187,000 from the municipality, through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) to upgrade water and sewer infrastructure in Campbellton. Led by MP Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Minister Gilles LePage, and Mayor Michel Soucy, the initiative replaces watermains, storm sewers, and catch basins on Notre Dame St., improves water distribution, and will enable up to 200 new housing units, including 12 low-income units. The upgrades are designed to support ongoing and future apartment development, and include connecting municipal water systems for enhanced quality and flow. The investment aligns with federal objectives to advance housing supply and links with Build Canada Homes efforts, targeting affordable housing solutions and skilled trades career growth.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Toronto Receives $1.5 Billion Federal Funding to Reduce Development Charges and Boost New Housing Construction

A joint federal-provincial investment of $1.5 billion supports Toronto’s commitment to reducing residential development charges by up to 60 percent. Announced by Minister Gregor Robertson, Premier Doug Ford, and Mayor Olivia Chow, the program is expected to save homebuilders approximately $83,000 per single/semi-detached home and reduce overall costs for new construction. The fund is projected to unlock 44,000 units and deliver $1.95 billion in relief over ten years, contingent on approval of a Canada-Ontario BCSF agreement. The package targets municipalities maintaining reductions for at least three years and provides prioritized spending on housing-enabling infrastructure, such as watermains, transit improvements (Line 2 signaling upgrades, bus purchases), road expansions, and bridge reconstructions. Additional projects include revitalizing John Street, extending Broadview Avenue, and connectivity enhancements for Tradewind Avenue. The program is part of a broader $8.8 billion agreement between Ontario and Canada to support infrastructure facilitating housing and economic growth.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding Advances Infrastructure Upgrades in Grand Falls, New Brunswick to Enable Additional Housing

Canada, New Brunswick, and Grand Falls municipality announced combined investments of more than $890,000 (federal), $593,000 (provincial), and $296,000 (municipal) through CHIF to modernize sanitary sewer, water, and stormwater systems on Taylor Street, Park Street, and O’Regan Street. MP Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Minister Gilles LePage, and Mayor Bertrand Beaulieu outlined works comprising new main installations, manholes, hydrants, and service connections. Full roadway reinstatement is included, supporting up to 40 new housing units. The project is positioned to address local housing supply constraints, connect water infrastructure, and align with Build Canada Homes financing and construction support initiatives.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Launches Technical Briefing on the Building Canada Act

Government officials held a background technical briefing, under embargo, at Ottawa’s National Press Theatre regarding the Building Canada Act. Accredited Parliamentary Press Gallery members had access to briefing materials, which will be released at the subsequent press conference with Minister Steven MacKinnon, Minister Tim Hodgson, and Minister Rebecca Alty. Materials will include procedural and operational aspects of major project listing and compliance requirements. The session sets the stage for further disclosure and Q&A for media, regulated under embargo terms.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Modernized National Capital Region District Energy System Officially Opens

Minister Joël Lightbound marked the launch of the NCR District Energy System (NCR DES) in Gatineau, an initiative by Public Services and Procurement Canada and Innovate Energy, transforming Ottawa–Gatineau’s heating and cooling infrastructure. The $3.4-billion project includes $1.3 billion for design and construction, and $2.1 billion earmarked for long-term operations and maintenance. The new system delivers low-carbon electricity-based heating and cooling, replaces older steam systems with hot water technology, and electric chillers, improving efficiency, reliability, and safety. Natural gas will supplement peak demand periods. The flexible network enables future expansion to additional buildings and is structured with public-private partnership mechanisms to ensure cost certainty.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Prioritization of Major Transmission Line and Intertie Projects

Minister Tim Hodgson, following discussions at the Energy and Mines Minister’s Conference (EMMC), announced federal regulatory and financial prioritization for several major transmission projects, including the BC–Yukon Grid Connect (an 800-km, +200-kV HVDC line), restoration of the Alberta–BC intertie (adding 150 MW of trade capacity), Alberta–Saskatchewan intertie upgrades (250 MW capacity increase), expansion of the Saskatchewan–Manitoba intertie (up to 2 GW), and Maritimes interconnection improvements. Investments include a $40-million federal contribution for the BC–Yukon project. The Transmission InterConnect Investment Strategy has been referred to the Major Projects Office for identification and financial due diligence. The government is advancing intertie frameworks, standardized cost allocation mechanisms among partners, and enhanced supports through the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit and Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Reports 2.3% Gain in Building Construction Investment, April 2026

Statistics Canada data show a $540.8 million (+2.3%) increase in building construction investment in April 2026, with national totals reaching $23.6 billion. The dataset provides insight into quarterly trends for commercial, institutional, and residential construction sectors, informing activity forecasts and resource allocation planning.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

New Commercial and Institutional Energy Use Data: Hospital and Postsecondary Campuses, 2024

StatsCan released 2024 survey results detailing energy demand and consumption for hospital and postsecondary campuses across all provinces. The dataset supports evaluation of energy efficiency strategies and offers benchmarks for institutional energy use, referencing ongoing federal targets towards net-zero emissions and compliance within evolving construction codes.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Natural Gas Supply and Disposition Dataset, April 2026

Statistics Canada published detailed data on natural gas transmission, storage, and distribution activities for April 2026. The report provides sector stakeholders with updated metrics for supply chain management, consumption patterns, and operational planning.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Labour Productivity and Hours Worked Data, Provinces and Territories, Updated Through 2025

StatsCan made available new preliminary data on labour productivity and hours worked across all provinces and territories for 2025. The release, aligned with GDP by industry figures, offers industry professionals metrics to inform workforce planning and productivity benchmarking.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Federal Transit Investment Supports New Hamilton Transit Maintenance Facility

The City of Hamilton has completed the $390.4-million Birch Transit Centre, with $142.8 million provided by the federal government, $92.6 million from Ontario, and $155 million from the city. The facility expands maintenance and storage capacity as part of HSR Next, enabling transit expansion, improved reliability, and support for population growth. Investment supports construction and manufacturing job creation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario, Canada, and Toronto Secure $1.5 Billion Through Development Charge Reduction Program

Ontario and federal officials announced a $1.5 billion funding package that reduces development charges in Toronto by up to 60 percent, unlocking 44,000 housing units and supporting major transit, road, and water infrastructure across the city.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Announces $585 Million for 24 Infrastructure Projects

Manitoba launched the summer construction season with $585 million invested in 24 roadway and trade corridor projects, including the $235 million interchange at Provincial Trunk Highway 100 and Highway 3, and other regional improvements.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

New Affordable Housing Development Announced for London, Ontario

Federal and provincial governments committed $2.3 million through OPHI to support 50 affordable units in a mixed-use, 24-storey development at Dundas Street, alongside $3.38 million federal immigration support for interim housing units.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Rewards North Bay with $336,000 under Building Faster Fund

North Bay received $336,000 for exceeding its housing targets in 2025, supporting continued growth and infrastructure delivery, with the Building Faster Fund entering its final year of operation.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Government Launches Minister’s Council on Infrastructure Financing

Alberta established a council to explore innovative infrastructure financing tools for municipalities, collaborating with BILD Alberta and stakeholder groups to assess alternative models and strengthen long-term capacity.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Lac-Mégantic Rail Bypass Consultation Invites Public Input

The Canadian Transportation Agency is accepting public comments on the hydrogeological assessment for the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project until June 29, 2026, as part of its regulatory review.

Sources: otc-cta.gc.ca

Consultation: Potential Amendments to Industrial Hemp Regulations

Health Canada is seeking feedback on possible changes to the Industrial Hemp Regulations, aiming to reduce regulatory requirements and administrative burden while maintaining health and safety controls.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• News of the day: Sewer problems backup housing starts, vendor take-back mortgages, economic growth opportunity, stock sell temptations, declined loan and more: Coverage on infrastructure issues affecting housing and economic news.
• Construction experts hope reduction in developer charges will help move the housing market: Report on industry sentiments regarding Toronto’s development charge reduction.
• Ontario builders on track to deliver record number of student housing beds in 2026: Industry news on upcoming student housing deliveries.
• Winnipeg's future for affordable housing puts dignity, community at forefront of design: Feature on community-focused affordable housing initiatives in Winnipeg.
• How made-in-Manitoba solutions can help the affordable housing crisis: Examination of regional responses to housing affordability.
• Lithium Ionic Advances Construction Readiness at Bandeira; Secures Construction-Phase Water Access and Provides Engineering and Procurement Updates: Update on construction variety in the mining sector.
• Fengate’s 2025 Sustainability Report highlights responsible investment across housing, healthcare, digital infrastructure, and energy transition in North America: Review of investment patterns in construction and infrastructure.
• Senate passes a bipartisan housing bill aimed at increasing supply and lowering prices: US legislative action regarding housing supply.
• Chatham-Kent eyes development charge relief as housing affordability concerns mount: Local reporting on development charges influencing housing.
• OPINION: What lessons can we learn as we work to improve development charges?: Opinion article discussing development charges and housing policy.

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