August 30, 2026 to September 05, 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-Provincial Funding Targets Housing Affordability, Infrastructure in Mississauga

On September 3, the governments of Canada and Ontario confirmed up to $401.4 million in funding for Mississauga via the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP), part of a broader $8.8 billion, ten-year infrastructure deal. This program recognizes Mississauga's decision to reduce development charges for new residential builds by 50% and to eliminate them entirely for specified rental units until March 31, 2029. The scheme is expected to reduce building costs by up to $36,140 per home. Combined with recent HST relief on eligible new builds (worth up to $130,000 per home), total savings for homebuyers can reach $166,140. The measures are projected to unlock 90,000 new homes. Projects under the program will include a zero-emission transit maintenance facility and integrated transit infrastructure for downtown Mississauga. Funding is conditional upon finalization of agreements between federal, provincial, and municipal partners.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Workforce Alliance Launched to Address Energy and Construction Labour Gaps

Employment and Social Development Canada announced the creation of the Energy and Electricity Workforce Alliance on September 2, with leadership from Electricity Human Resources Canada and participation by the Energy Council of Canada. The alliance aims to address shortages in skilled trades—including heavy-duty mechanics, industrial technicians, and construction-aligned roles—amidst increased demand for energy infrastructure, grid modernization, and clean energy projects. The initiative will facilitate coordination among employers, training institutions, Indigenous stakeholders, and labor representatives, focusing on workforce development, skills alignment, and responding to rapid technological changes. Strategic activities will include reskilling and support for mobility, informed by current labor data and focused on emerging sectors relevant to the construction industry.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Support for Hamilton Area Businesses Amid Tariff Pressures

Minister Evan Solomon announced more than $12.5 million in federal financing for nine Hamilton-area businesses on August 31 under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI). The initiative, expanded by $1.5 billion nationwide as of September 2026, aims to help businesses address U.S. tariff challenges through liquidity support and capital investments. Non-repayable contribution caps are raised to $3 million, with up to $2 million available in liquidity support per business. The targeted companies include manufacturers, construction suppliers, and technical apparel providers, such as Niko Apparel Systems, which will modernize production infrastructure. FedDev Ontario administers these supports in tandem with other regional development agencies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Build Communities Strong Fund Invests in Calgary Water Infrastructure

A September 1 announcement from the federal government confirmed up to $29 million in funding for Calgary's North Calgary Water Servicing (NCWS) Phase 1, Stage 1 project under the Build Communities Strong Fund. This project will add a 22-km water feeder main, upgrades to three major reservoir and pump sites, and 7 km of new linear water infrastructure. The expansion is intended to meet water demand from population growth, enable housing densification, and introduce redundancy in Calgary's water distribution system. These measures are expected to maintain service continuity during outages or repairs and support development in both existing and new communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Investment for Wastewater Infrastructure in Jasper Supporting Housing Recovery

Jasper, Alberta, will receive over $7.9 million in joint federal-municipal funding for recommissioning a wastewater lagoon, with more than $3.9 million from the federal Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund. The investment—announced September 1—is a response to infrastructure pressures following the 2024 wildfire. The project will increase wastewater storage during peak flows and emergencies, reduce environmental impacts, prevent service disruptions, and support Jasper’s long-term housing strategy as new homes are built during community reconstruction.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA Begins Modernization of Paterson, BC, Border Crossing

The Canada Border Services Agency began construction this week on modernization of the Paterson port of entry in British Columbia, under an $18.1 million contract with Greyback Construction Ltd. The redesigned facility includes enhanced space for secondary inspections, a new inspection booth, and operational upgrades for better movement of both passengers and freight. The project requires subcontracted work with the Osoyoos Indian Band and is slated for completion by 2028. The Paterson redevelopment is part of the national Land Border Crossing Project to update multiple Canadian land ports, ensuring continuity of service during construction.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment in Asset Management Technology for Municipalities

PrairiesCan announced $980,000 in repayable funding to Regina-based Asset Strategy Inc. (ASI Engineering) on September 3 to advance its AI-enabled asset management platform. The platform will assist municipalities and organizations in consolidating data on infrastructure conditions, budget projections, and maintenance schedules. ASI Software includes cloud-based registries and dashboards for monitoring public assets and identifying funding gaps, which can inform infrastructure planning and investment decisions. The initiative is set against the background of recent U.S. tariffs, supporting Canadian companies in delivering smarter, data-driven community planning tools.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Government Backs New Recreational Infrastructure in Pasadena, NL

An investment of over $300,000 has been committed to upgrading the shoreline along Glide Path Road in Pasadena, Newfoundland and Labrador. Construction is starting in early September 2026 on a new trail linking South Brook Point to Pasadena Beach, with amenities such as benches, signage, and erosion protections using armour stone. The project is expected to support both recreation infrastructure and environmental stability along the local shoreline.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Survey on Business Conditions: Cost Remains Top Challenge

Statistics Canada released the third quarter 2026 results of the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, showing that, for construction and related industries, cost-related obstacles continue to be the primary challenge anticipated through the quarter. Despite these pressures, business optimism remained steady compared with previous quarters of 2026.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Primary Energy Production Sees 5.9% Year-Over-Year Rise in June 2026

Statistics Canada has reported a 5.9% increase in primary energy production for June 2026, reaching 2.0 million gigajoules. All six major sectors contributed to the growth, with implications for construction sectors tied to energy projects and industrial capacity.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Government of Canada to Deliver 2026 Pre-Budget Consultations

Finance Canada is collecting input for the 2026 federal budget through ongoing pre-budget consultations, with submissions accepted until September 8. The process invites feedback aimed at shaping measures related to economic growth, affordability, and workforce development, with implications for policy affecting construction, housing, and public infrastructure.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario and Canada Issue $401M Housing-Linked Infrastructure Funding to Mississauga

Mississauga will see up to $401.4 million in funding to reduce development charges on new residential builds and invest in key transit and infrastructure projects over four years, projected to unlock up to 90,000 new homes.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Advances Highway 413 and 427 Expansion

Ontario has initiated the procurement process for building the east segment of Highway 413 and extending Highway 427, anticipated to support over 6,000 jobs annually during construction.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

B.C. Expands Skilled-Trades Training, Adds 5,000 Seats Province-wide

The British Columbia government is investing in 5,000 new skilled-trades training seats in 2026–27, with Vancouver Community College receiving 224 new seats. This investment addresses rising demand for trades workers driven by major infrastructure and resource projects.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba Launches $24.4M Transitional Housing Investment

The Manitoba government has opened a new transitional housing complex in Winnipeg with 118 units, part of the Your Way Home strategy to address chronic homelessness. The facility includes round-the-clock support services for residents.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Manitoba Broadens Rent Controls, Raises Exemption Threshold

Effective January 2027, Manitoba will increase the rent control exemption threshold to $2,000 per month from $1,670, extending rent regulation to additional units. The 2027 guideline is set at 3%.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Government Consultations

Competition Bureau Solicits Feedback on Cartel Enforcement Guidelines

A federal consultation inviting public input on proposed Cartel Enforcement Guidelines under the Competition Act is open until September 13, 2026.

Sources: competition-bureau.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Counter tariffs will add to 'perfect storm' of homebuilding challenges, N.L. builders say: N.L. homebuilders discuss the impact of new counter tariffs on project costs and timelines.
• Fixed mortgages rates rise, Toronto returns to office, Home of the Week and more top real estate stories: Real estate round-up highlights changing mortgage rates and market movement in Toronto.
• Thinking of leaving your desk job and entering the trades? Here's your guide: An overview of pathways for Canadians considering careers in the skilled trades.
• How immigration changes are contributing to B.C.'s housing market slowdown: British Columbia's housing market dynamics in the context of shifting immigration policy.
• Affordable homes in Dartmouth ready to welcome residents: New affordable housing units available for residents in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
• Fort Good Hope trades facility targets housing and labour shortages: Trades training in N.W.T.'s Fort Good Hope aims to address local housing and skills gaps.
• OPINION: Candidates running in Ontario’s municipal elections must keep added costs on new homes low: Commentary on municipal policy implications for new-home costs.
• Affordability, growing the economy key issues for N.S. government to tackle this fall: Economic and housing affordability as core priorities in Nova Scotia.

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