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.

Dates: 2026-02-08 to 2026-02-14

📋 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

There are no scheduled committee meetings this week.

Federal Government News

Government of Canada Announces Appointment to CMHC Board of Directors

On February 11, 2026, the federal government announced Rita Virk’s appointment to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Board of Directors. Minister Gregor Robertson described Ms. Virk’s selection as a result of an open, competency-based process. Ms. Virk is a Chartered Professional Accountant with substantial board and audit experience in both public and private sectors, including the Departmental Audit Committee for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Her background spans finance, risk management, and governance—key areas in public sector oversight and housing policy. This appointment comes amid ongoing federal investment in housing infrastructure to expand affordable housing options nationwide. According to government release backgrounders, Ms. Virk has also held board positions with Prospera Credit Union and various organizations tied to real estate and healthcare, contributing to oversight during major system implementations and digital transformation projects.

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

Applications Open for Infrastructure Crown Corporation Board Positions

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada announced applications are open for Board of Directors roles at several infrastructure Crown corporations, including the Canada Infrastructure Bank, Canada Lands Company, CMHC, Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated, and the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. The call is aimed at individuals with expertise in advancing public investments in housing and infrastructure. The window to apply runs until March 9, 2026, covering both current and future opportunities, as well as potential positions with Build Canada Homes as it transitions into an arm’s-length entity. These appointments will influence public investment strategies and the execution of major infrastructure projects.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: Building Permits in December 2025 Reach $12.8 Billion

Statistics Canada released updated data showing that the value of building permits in Canada increased by $821.3 million (+6.8%) to $12.8 billion in December 2025. The increase signals movement in residential, commercial, and infrastructure segments. The data series offers disaggregated insights by sector and region through the StatCan Daily and the respective open government dataset.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Engineering Services Industry Posts 6.5% Revenue Growth in 2024

For 2024, Statistics Canada reports that the operating revenue of the engineering services sector climbed 6.5% to $46.8 billion. This continues a multi-year expansion, though at a slower pace than the prior years’ increases of 9.8% (2023) and 12.4% (2022). This revenue data provides a reference for the scale and trajectory of consulting, design, and technical services supporting the construction and infrastructure pipeline.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Residential Renovation Price Index (Q4 2025) Released

Statistics Canada published the fourth-quarter 2025 Residential Renovation Price Index, using 2023 as its reference base. This quarterly release delivers market trend data relevant to project planning, renovation costs, and downstream impacts on construction supply, although no headline figures were disclosed in this update.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services Price Index (Q4 2025)

StatCan reported new national and regional price indices for architectural, engineering, and related services for the fourth quarter of 2025. Stakeholders monitor this index to track input costs for project delivery in sectors such as residential, commercial, and infrastructure engineering.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Federal Government Commits $24 Million to Affordable Housing in Yellowknife

On February 14, 2026, the federal government announced $24 million in funding for affordable housing in Yellowknife. The initiative aims to support community housing projects and increase affordable rental supply, contributing to targets set under ongoing national housing strategies.

Sources: www.cbc.ca

New Federal Building Opens in Shawinigan Using Construction Management Approach

The Government of Canada marked the opening of a new $223-million federal building in Shawinigan. The 10,578-square-metre, three-storey facility incorporates carbon-neutral building systems and targets LEED Gold certification. The project included contracts to Quebec-based architectural and construction firms and was delivered $61 million under its estimated maximum cost. Final site work continues through fall 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Employment in Rural Construction and Trades: Interactive Dashboard Updated

Statistics Canada’s latest interactive dashboard on employment by industry in rural Canada was updated for January 2026. The data includes sector breakdowns and workforce trends that inform regional construction labor supply and related trade activity.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Research and Development Expenditures by Canadian Private Non-Profits: 2024 Actuals

Statistics Canada released data on R&D expenditures and personnel for Canadian private non-profit organizations in 2024, with preliminary figures for 2025 and intentions for 2026. The dataset includes information relevant to innovation and technology adoption in building materials, project delivery, and infrastructure, providing context for investment trends.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Updated Estimates of Interjurisdictional Employment: Construction and Related Sectors (2002-2022)

Statistics Canada published disaggregated estimates for total interjurisdictional employees and their earnings from 2002 to 2022, classified by province/territory and industry. These tables are pertinent to firms tracking labor mobility, cross-jurisdictional building activity, and project staffing.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Quebec Tables Bill 20 to Improve Housing Access

On February 11, Quebec introduced Bill 20, aimed at promoting access to housing and reducing administrative complexity in the housing sector.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

BC Launches RFPs for DASH Program Prefabricated Housing Projects

BC Housing issued RFPs for teams to deliver two initial housing projects under the Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing (DASH) program, incorporating prefabricated components and digital designs.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Nova Scotia Invests $15.7 Million to Preserve Affordable Housing in Halifax

The Housing Trust of Nova Scotia acquired three Halifax apartment buildings to protect 62 affordable housing units, backed by $15.7 million in provincial investment.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Ontario Fines Landlord for Violating Residential Tenancies Act

An Oshawa landlord received a $15,000 fine for denying a tenant's right of first refusal post-renovation, as required under the Residential Tenancies Act.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Expansion of Polytechnique Montréal Set to Train More Engineers

The Government of Quebec announced the start of expansion and modernization works at Polytechnique Montréal, enabling increased engineering student capacity.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Development and construction experts warn regional water issue ‘will decimate our industry’: Industry voices caution about water supply constraints in Kitchener-Waterloo.
• ‘A perfect storm:’ New home construction in the GTA to decline for next 2 years amid economic uncertainty, report says: Analysis of upcoming downturn in GTA new home construction.
• Kitchener-Waterloo’s billion-dollar building industry grinds to a halt as city water shortage fears grow: Construction slowdown tied to municipal water restrictions.
• When exactly housing became unaffordable, ranking Canada’s Most Livable Cities, the Home of the Week and more top real estate stories: Feature on housing affordability shifts and city rankings.
• Industrial real estate embraces sustainable design: Overview of sustainability trends in industrial real estate.
• Osisko Development Awards Project and Construction Management Services Contract for the Development of the Cariboo Gold Project: Announcement of contract award for Cariboo Gold Project construction.
• Federal government announces $24M toward affordable housing in Yellowknife: News on federal housing support in the Northwest Territories.
• John Lorinc: Let’s get together and build housing we could really use. Here’s how: Opinion on collaborative housing initiatives.
• Governors tackle rising cost of living with relief checks, tax cuts and housing policy: U.S. state-level responses impacting cost of living and housing.
• Osisko Development Awards Project and Construction Management Services Contract for the Development of the Cariboo Gold Project: Additional coverage on a major project management contract.

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