Canada Housing Starts Trend Down 1.3% | Liana Michina LianaMichina.com

The latest housing data shows a slight cooling in Canada’s residential construction activity. As we move into mid-Q3, the six-month trend for housing starts dipped by about 1.3%, with an annualized rate of roughly 244,000 units. In major Canadian cities, actual starts reached 17,700—down about 2% compared to last year, and the total for the first eight months now stands at 149,500, a 4% decrease. While homes under construction in cities over 50,000 people edged down less than 1% to 371,700 units, there’s still a substantial pipeline, even as completions softened by 11% to 17,600 units. Permits for future projects ticked up just under 1%, indicating more developments are lined up. Even as the national outlook points to a continued moderation in new starts, construction activity remains elevated compared to recent years. For anyone navigating the Montreal, Laval, or Laurentides markets—whether buying, selling, renting, or considering a renovation—keeping an eye on these trends can help you find the right strategy for your next step.