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: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 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

• Public Accounts Committee: Review of Public Accounts of Canada 2024 and 2025: Scheduled for March 9, 2026 (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), witnesses from the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities—Paul Halucha (Deputy Minister), Michelle Baron (Assistant Deputy Minister and CFO), Matt de Vlieger (Assistant Deputy Minister)—will discuss Public Accounts of Canada 2024 and 2025. The meeting will take place in Room 415, Wellington Building, and will be webcast.

Federal Government News

Canada Moves Forward with National Critical Minerals Strategy at PDAC 2026

At the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention in Toronto, Minister Tim Hodgson announced federal investments exceeding $165 million for 22 critical minerals projects, with $114.9 million allocated to the First and Last Mile Fund for infrastructure priorities. The Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund, set for launch in spring, will deploy $2 billion through equity and offtake mechanisms. In addition, $40 million was committed to the Canadian Digital Core Library for geoscience advancement, with a Declaration of Intent involving major mining firms. The Critical Minerals Production Alliance's second round supports 30 new partnerships, unlocking over $12.1 billion for sector projects with international and domestic partners. Regulatory tools such as the Mine Permit Navigator were unveiled for federal permitting guidance, cited as part of a new “One Project, One Review” approach. This strategy expands Canada’s capacity as both a resource and industrial power, with federal initiatives touching all stages of project planning, investment certainty, and bilateral trade.

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

Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance Launched to Address Sector Labour Challenges

Minister Patty Hajdu convened industry stakeholders at PDAC to establish the Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance, targeting workforce shortages in exploration, extraction, processing, and mineral supply chains. The alliance will address demographic pressures and skills alignments with emerging technologies, automation, and sector trends. Citing the mining sector's $112 billion direct GDP contribution and 438,000 jobs in 2024, the alliance forms one pillar of a six-priority industrial strategy spanning advanced manufacturing, housing and construction, transportation, energy, and care economy. Post-secondary institutions and Indigenous partners will participate to align training with sector needs. The coordinated framework aims to secure workforce resilience and sector competitiveness.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Lands Company Limited Board Appointment

Minister Gregor Robertson named Allison Mendes to the Board of Directors of Canada Lands Company Limited (CLCL). Mendes brings previous experience leading affordable housing initiatives with CreateTO and has expertise in real estate portfolio management. CLCL manages federal assets including the CN Tower and Downsview Park, and is tasked with operational stewardship and maximizing value for Canadians, reporting directly to Parliament via the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal and Quebec Governments Invest in Green Skills Training

The Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour), and Pascale Déry, Quebec Minister of Employment, announced new investments under a bilateral agreement for the Union Training and Innovation Program. The initiative, to be announced March 9 in Gatineau, targets workforce training in green skills, supporting labour union training and sectoral modernization.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program: New Investment Announcement

Minister Patty Hajdu is scheduled to announce a significant investment through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program in Ottawa on March 9, accompanied by Marie-France Lalonde, MP for Orléans. The program supports workforce development across key economic sectors, while media registration instructions were provided for the event.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Support for B.C.'s Southern Interior Industrial Projects

Minister Gregor Robertson announced over $13 million for ten projects focused on business resilience in B.C.’s Southern Interior. Recipients include Axis Forestry, Command, and FPAC, with investments supporting steel-based timber harvesters, manufacturing upgrades, and digital supply chain platforms. Projects extend to Indigenous forestry businesses, AI modernization for mills, prefabricated housing components for Kalesnikoff, and advanced manufacturing for bridge infrastructure (Rapid-Span). These investments facilitate productivity gains, strengthen domestic supply chains, and broaden sector employment.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Site Preparation and Construction Licence Issued to NexGen Energy for Rook I Uranium Project

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued a licence to NexGen Energy Ltd. for its Rook I uranium mine and mill project in northern Saskatchewan. The licence covers site preparation and construction, running through March 2036, and requires NexGen to implement environmental assessment conditions and an Indigenous engagement program. The project is set to produce up to 14 million kg of triuranium octoxide annually for 24 years, with financial guarantees reaching $61.8 million by year four. The CNSC concluded that health, safety, and national security provisions are met, noting the duty to consult with local Indigenous nations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

New All-Canadian Build Facility Opens at New Flyer Industries, Winnipeg

Minister Mélanie Joly, alongside Premier Wab Kinew and federal MPs, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for New Flyer Industries’ All-Canadian Build facility on March 3. The event marks additional manufacturing capacity in Winnipeg, supporting higher-order economic development and infrastructure supply capabilities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Commercial Rent Data Released for Q4 2025 in Key Markets

Statistics Canada released the Commercial Rents Services Price Index for Q4 2025, allowing industry participants to analyze rent trends in primary economic centers.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Labour Productivity and Unit Labour Costs Reported for Q4 2025

Statistics Canada announced that labour productivity in Canadian businesses edged down 0.1% in Q4 2025, with hours worked declining at a slower pace than GDP. This figure follows a 1.1% rise in the previous quarter.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Lumber Production Down in December 2025

StatsCan data show lumber production in December, at 2,905.2 thousand cubic metres, decreased by 21.0% from November and was down 12.8% compared to December 2024.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta Commits $12 Million for 80 Affordable Housing Units in Jasper

Alberta’s government announced $12 million for the Jasper Connaught Affordable Housing Development, with federal support of $14.3 million for Phase I. The project delivers new accessible apartments for the community.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

B.C. Announces Mandatory Crane Licensing and Permitting Program

British Columbia's government is introducing mandatory crane licensing and permitting via WorkSafeBC based on Crane Safety Table recommendations, addressing sector fatalities and improving industry safety oversight.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Announces $10.7 Million Investment for Bridges and Culverts Along Winter Roads Network

Ontario’s Winter Roads Program will allocate over $10.7 million to new bridges and culverts, supporting remote and Indigenous communities’ access to essential goods and services.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Invests in Infrastructure Upgrades Through Budget 2026

Budget 2026 in Alberta sets aside more than $8.3 billion over three years for highway and bridge capital projects, including rural corridor expansions and LRT investment in Calgary and Edmonton.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Secures First-of-Its-Kind National Energy Corridor Agreement

Ontario announced a partnership with nine provinces and territories to modernize electricity transmission infrastructure across Canada, supporting grid reliability and economic development.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

Health Canada Active Consultation: Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (Haloacetic Acids)

Health Canada is consulting on draft Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality concerning haloacetic acids, seeking feedback on the guidelines and associated costs through March 13, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Jasper affordable housing apartment receives funding boost as fire rebuild ramps up: Coverage of Jasper's affordable apartment construction following wildfire recovery.
• Canada’s lagging construction industry linked to housing affordability issues: StatCan: StatCan analysis connects construction sector performance to housing affordability.
• Opinion | Prefab homes are a game-changer in cities like Toronto. Why aren’t we building more of them?: Opinion piece on prefab construction’s market potential.
• Funds for affordable homes in Muskoka: Reporting on local funds directed toward new affordable housing units.
• Ottawa accused of preferential treatment with coming rail subsidies for steel, lumber: Analysis of federal railway subsidies and industry reactions.
• Cornwall to decide next month on location of 'bridge housing' project: Update on temporary housing initiative planning.
• Enbridge Gas president on sustainability, reliability — and why your gas bill has gone up: Discussion of gas pricing and utility strategies.
• Ottawa and Alberta reach prospective deal to streamline major project approvals: Detailed reporting on federal-provincial deal for faster major project approvals.
• Building affordable homes in Jasper: Announcement on new affordable housing units in Jasper.
• Strengthening interprovincial electrical ties: Alberta’s energy partnership with other provinces to reinforce power grid connections.

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