Canadian Housing Starts Rise Below Forecasts in February

2026-03-16 12:30 By Isabela Couto 1 min. read

Housing starts in Canada increased 4.5% in February 2026 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 250,900 units, up from 240,148 in January, below market expectations of 252,500 units.

Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 20,400 units.

Actual housing starts were up 10% year-over-year in centres with a population of 10,000 or greater.

By province, Vancouver recorded a 60% increase in actual starts due to higher multi-unit and single-detached starts.

Meanwhile, Toronto declined 28% due to lower multi-unit and single-detached starts.



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Canadian Housing Starts Rise Below Forecasts in February
Housing starts in Canada increased 4.5% in February 2026 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 250,900 units, up from 240,148 in January, below market expectations of 252,500 units. Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 20,400 units. Actual housing starts were up 10% year-over-year in centres with a population of 10,000 or greater. By province, Vancouver recorded a 60% increase in actual starts due to higher multi-unit and single-detached starts. Meanwhile, Toronto declined 28% due to lower multi-unit and single-detached starts.
2026-03-16
Canadian Housing Starts Sink
Housing starts in Canada sank by 15% from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted of 238,049 in January of 2026, firmly below market expectations of 263,300, to mark the lowest rate in five months. Urban housing starts in centers with populations over 10,000 people fell by 18.7% to 218,182. In turn, rural starts were estimated at the 20,487 mark.
2026-02-16
Canadian Housing Starts Rise to 5-Month High
Housing starts in Canada rose by 11% from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted of 282,439 in December of 2025, firmly above market expectations of 260,000, to mark the highest rate in five months. Urban housing starts in centers with populations over 10,000 people rose by 12% to 270,168. In turn, rural starts were estimated at the 12,271 mark.
2026-01-16