Prairie Provinces, Quebec Multi-Res Projects Drive Increase in Canadian Housing Starts

Prairie Provinces, Quebec Multi-Res Projects Drive Increase in Canadian Housing Starts
News| August 22, 2025| Monte Stewart
Canada + Apartment Buildings

Housing starts in Canada rose 4% year-over-year in July, with 23,464 units recorded in centres of 10,000 people or more, up from 22,610 a year earlier, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

The year-to-date total reached 137,875, also a 4% increase from the same period in 2024. The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of housing starts nationwide grew 4% month-over-month to 294,085 units in July, while the six-month trend moved up 3.7% to 263,088 units.

“Through the first seven months of the year, actual housing starts have remained above 2024 levels, primarily driven by increased multi-unit starts in the Prairie Provinces and Quebec,” said Tania Bourassa-Ochoa, a CMHC deputy chief economist. “These persistently elevated national results are reflective of investment decisions made months or even years ago, highlighting the influence of previous market conditions and builder sentiment on current construction trends.”

Montreal posted the largest gain, with starts surging 212% to 2,391 units, while Toronto saw a whopping 69% year-over-year decline, falling to 1,720 units from 5,523 a year earlier. Vancouver registered a 24% increase, with 3,108 units started compared with 2,516 in July 2024.

Elsewhere, Edmonton saw a 36% increase to 2,191, while Calgary starts dropped 24% to 1,889 units. Ottawa-Gatineau rose 16% to 1,466 units, with gains in both Ottawa and Gatineau. Halifax posted a 263% increase, reaching 1,193 units compared with 329 last year.

Three other Prairies cities saw large year-over-year gains but the increases were skewed because, although classified as major, the markets are smaller than most counterparts. Also, their July 2024 start totals were relatively low.

Regina housing starts rose 52% year-over-year to 70 units in July 2025. Saskatoon recorded a 28% decline, with 322 units compared with 446 last year. Winnipeg fell 28% to 396 units from 553 in July 2024.

Photo: Shutterstock

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