É«É«À²

However, slowdowns in Canada’s two most expensive real estate markets weighed on the overall number of housing starts. 

Vancouver saw a decline in housing starts during the first half of the year compared with 2024, while É«É«À² was on pace for the lowest total annual housing starts in 30 years. 

CMHC says homebuilding activity in É«É«À² fell to its lowest point since 1996 on a per-capita basis, mainly due to a 60 per cent drop in condominium starts.  

Tania Bourassa-Ochoa, deputy chief economist for CMHC, says the ongoing construction slowdown in the housing market presents risks to future housing supply. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 9, 2025.