Regional New Housing Construction

by Joanna Gerber

A comparison of different regions across Canada shows varying trends in new housing construction.

Canada as a whole, along with Ontario, BC, and Quebec, had a decrease in overall housing starts in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023. On the other hand, Alberta exhibited a significant increase in housing starts in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023, diverging from the national and Ontario trends.

For semi-detached dwellings, however, Canada experienced an overall increase in starts in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023. Similarly, Alberta saw a remarkable increase in starts for semi-detached dwellings during this period. Ontario and BC did not follow this trend and saw slight decreases.

Canada witnessed a decrease in row housing starts in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023. Quebec, however, demonstrated a slight increase in row dwelling starts in Q1 2024, and Alberta showed a significant increase in row dwelling starts in Q1 2024.

For apartment dwellings, Canada showed a substantial increase in starts in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023, suggesting a potential move towards more multi-unit residential development to address housing needs.This was the one housing type which experienced an increase in starts in all of the regions compared.

Overall Seasonally Adjusted Total Housing Starts (All Areas)

Table showing housing market data for Dec 2023 to Mar 2024 across Canada and its regions, including SAAR values and trends for each month. Data is sourced from the CMHC Housing Market Information Portal.

Seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) are the monthly numbers adjusted to remove normal seasonal variation, then multiplied by 12 to reflect annual levels. The trend figures are six-month moving averages of SAAR rates.

Bar chart comparing the overall housing starts by dwelling type across various Canadian regions for Q1 2023 and Q1 2024, showing significant differences between regions and dwelling types.

Housing Starts for Single Family Dwellings

Table showing housing market data for Canada, Ontario, Quebec, BC, and Alberta, including figures for Q1 2024, Q1 2023, YTD-24, and YTD-23. Source: CMHC Housing Market Information Portal.

Table comparing housing market data for Q1 2024, Q1 2023, YTD-24, and YTD-23 across Canada, Ontario, Quebec, BC, and Alberta. Data source: CMHC Housing Market Information Portal.

Housing Starts for Apartment Dwellings

Table showing housing market statistics for Q1 2024, Q1 2023, YTD-24, and YTD-23 across Canada, Ontario, Quebec, BC, and Alberta. Figures are listed under each category for each region.