We’re seeing Canada’s homebuilding pace slow down again—something I’m watching closely for all of you keeping an eye on the market. The six-month trend for housing starts dipped by about 1%, now sitting at 244,000 units across the country, and in the larger centres, actual starts have eased by roughly 2% to 17,700 units. Year-to-date, we’re at 149,500 starts, which is down 4% from this point in 2025. This tells us that construction activity still isn’t meeting the ambitious targets set by policymakers. According to a national housing agency economist, while starts are higher than in recent years, a continued downward trend is expected in the coming months. Builders are facing extra challenges—geopolitical uncertainty and the ongoing US-Canada trade conflict are pushing up material costs, especially with new tariffs. The national outlook suggests that new-home construction will likely keep declining through 2028, with condos feeling the pinch most due to high costs, lower demand, and plenty of unsold inventory. If you’re thinking about your next move in areas like Surrey, Vancouver, or Burnaby, these shifts are definitely worth considering as you plan your next step.
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