Canadian housing starts posted a 0.4% uptick in June from May, according to data from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
The seasonally adjusted annualized rate of housing starts rose to 283,734 units last month from a revised 282,705 units. Actual housing starts were up 14% year-over-year in centers with a population of 10,000 or greater, with 23,282 units recorded in June, compared to 20,509 units in June 2024.
Among Canada’s big three cities, Vancouver recorded a 74% increase in starts this month while Montreal posted an 8% year-over-year decrease and Toronto experienced a 40% year-over-year decrease driven by fewer multi-unit starts.
“Through the first six months of the year, national housing starts have increased marginally compared to 2024, however, new home construction varies significantly across Canada,” said Kevin Hughes, CMHC’s Deputy Chief Economist. “Quebec and the Prairie provinces have accelerated the pace of construction for single-detached homes and purpose-built rentals. By contrast, weak condo market conditions in Toronto and Vancouver have contributed to declines in overall housing starts in these regions.”
