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.

Also consider subscribing to our Construction & Housing - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 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

• Industry and Technology Committee reviews Budget 2025 implementation clauses: The Industry and Technology Committee will examine subject matter clauses of Bill C-15 related to marketplace and productivity issues on February 9 at 3:30 p.m. Hon. Mélanie Joly and officials from the Department of Industry will appear as witnesses.
• Standing Senate Committee on National Finance reviews Bill C-4 on affordability: The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance meets February 11 to study Bill C-4 with witnesses from C.D. Howe Institute, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and Canadian Home Builders' Association.
• Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs examines Bill C-4, Part 4: The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee will discuss Part 4 of Bill C-4 on February 12 at 10:30 a.m.; witnesses to be announced.

Federal Government News

Build Canada Homes Act Introduced

The Government of Canada tabled legislation to establish Build Canada Homes as a Crown corporation focused on constructing affordable housing nationwide. The Build Canada Homes Act gives the new entity land acquisition authority and operational independence, transferring land holdings and expertise from Canada Lands Company once approved. The corporation, with an initial $13 billion capitalization from Budget 2025, will prioritize domestic materials, implement a Buy Canadian Policy, and work with provincial and municipal partners. Current direct-build projects in major cities represent over 7,500 homes. The permanent structure, overseen by a Board of Directors and led by a CEO and Chairperson appointed by the Governor-in-Council, aims to create long-term housing solutions. No automatic transfer of assets occurs prior to Royal Assent; collaboration between Build Canada Homes and Canada Lands Company continues on priority sites during transition.

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

Build Canada Homes Launches Request for Information on Modern Methods of Construction

Build Canada Homes released a Request for Information (RFI) inviting Canadian firms specializing in modular, panelized, and prefabricated building systems to contribute insights on modern methods of construction. Responses will inform the upcoming prequalification process and create a public directory of sector capabilities. Volumetric modular builders, panelized system manufacturers, and design-build firms are encouraged to submit by March 5, 2026. This initiative aims to accelerate affordable housing delivery and expand industry partnerships, though participation does not guarantee contract awards.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Union Training and Innovation Program Expansion

The federal government announced nearly $10 million for SkillPlan via the Union Training and Innovation Program’s Sustainable Jobs stream, supporting a national energy assessment training program for heat and frost insulator apprentices. A concurrent announcement expanded investment in the Union Training and Innovation Program by $75 million over three years, doubling funding for union-led training and covering shipping and installation costs of modern equipment in remote areas. The Canadian Apprenticeship Investments in Training Equipment stream now offers up to 70% federal contributions to eligible organizations. Applications are open through the Grants and Contributions Online Services portal.

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

Labour Force Survey, January 2026

Statistics Canada reported employment fell by 25,000 in January, a 0.1% decrease, with the employment rate dropping to 60.8%. However, the unemployment rate moved lower by 0.3 points to 6.5%, as fewer people searched for work.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Competition Bureau Study: Economic Gains from Pro-Competition Reforms

A peer-reviewed study commissioned by the Competition Bureau concluded that easing regulatory barriers in sectors such as energy, transportation, retail, and professional services could add up to 10% to Canada's GDP over the long term. The report suggests that reduced internal trade barriers and improved labour mobility could further amplify growth, aligning Canada’s productivity with leading economies and facilitating greater investment.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Machinery and Equipment Price Index, November 2025

Statistics Canada released the Machinery and Equipment Price Index for November 2025, providing updated price metrics for the construction industry's equipment procurement decisions.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Lumber Production Declines in November

StatsCan data shows Canadian lumber production dropped 7.7% in November to 3,675.3 thousand cubic metres, an 8.0% decrease year-over-year from November 2024.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Federal Investment in Lethbridge Active Transportation

The federal government committed $1.8 million via the Active Transportation Fund for a new two-kilometre multi-use pathway in Lethbridge, connecting existing regional networks to the WT Hill Business Park and enhancing pedestrian and cyclist access.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Accessibility Standards Canada Agreement with New Brunswick

Accessibility Standards Canada and New Brunswick formalized a Memorandum of Understanding to share research and expertise on accessibility standards. The agreement aims to coordinate standards, reduce duplication, and improve resource use, facilitating consistent accessibility for people with disabilities nationwide.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Committee Pre-Study: Bill C-15 and Consumer Protection

Senate committees reviewed Bill C-15, with witness input focusing on consumer protection frameworks, fraud prevention, and updates to budget divisions. The Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments and Financial Consumer Agency of Canada discussed increases in fraud-related complaints and consumer protection strategies. Transport Canada officials described the High-Speed Rail project between Quebec City and Toronto, outlining land acquisition processes, transparency requirements, and the federal corporation's $90 billion budget. Amendments to the Competition Act to limit anti-greenwashing claims were explored, affecting substantiation requirements for environmental communications.

Sources: SOURCE NOT FOUND

Provincial Government News

BCIT Begins Construction on Trades and Technology Complex

The British Columbia Institute of Technology started construction on three new facilities at its Burnaby campus, including net-zero mass-timber and marine steel pavilions, to expand training capacities for mass-timber, marine, and steel fabrication trades. The nearly $220-million project is funded by the Province, federal partners, and industry.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Nova Scotia Launches First-Time Homebuyers Program

Housing Minister John White announced a pilot program reducing minimum down payments to 2% for eligible first-time homebuyers. The Province acts as guarantor, partnered with Atlantic Central and credit unions; maximum home prices are set at $570,000 in urban areas and $500,000 elsewhere.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca, news.novascotia.ca

New Brunswick Housing Priorities and Record Housing Starts

New Brunswick recorded an all-time high of 7,587 housing starts in 2025, surpassing the government’s goal of 6,000. Progress includes 343 affordable housing starts and a five percent reduction in chronic homelessness in major cities.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Business Brief: Olympic housing that deserves a medal: New Olympic housing demonstrates innovative project delivery.
• Opinion: One grand bargain to fight Canada’s housing crisis: Analysis of housing affordability strategies.
• City floats plan to speed up construction of affordable housing: Ottawa councillors consider debt-financed affordable housing projects.
• Toronto’s effort to build more multiplex housing hits a snag: Challenges emerge in Toronto multiplex housing development.
• Ontario’s housing slowdown is a full-blown economic emergency: Ontario’s housing market slowdown and economic impacts.
• Construction site thefts on the rise, impacting homebuyers: Increasing thefts at construction sites affect homebuyers.
• Cambridge, Ont. entrepreneur helping homeowners avoid contractor scams: Local entrepreneur’s approach to preventing contractor fraud.
• New modular housing complex in Ahuntsic-Cartierville provides transitional housing: New modular housing facility offers transitional housing in Montreal.
• Opinion: The opioid crisis is hitting skilled Canadian tradespeople. Now’s our chance to support them: Commentary on health and workplace issues affecting skilled trades.
• Government tables bill giving Build Canada Homes land acquisition power: Coverage of Build Canada Homes Act and new land authority.

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