Canada Housing Starts Hit Four-Month High

Housing starts in Canada jumped 17% to an annualized 279,300 units in April 2026 from the previous month, well above market forecasts of 240,000 units. The reading marked the highest level of housing starts in four months, pointing to renewed strength in residential construction activity. Rural starts were estimated at 13,694 units. Meanwhile, the six-month moving average of housing starts, which smooths monthly volatility, rose 3.2% to 256,777 units.

Housing starts in Canada fell by 6% from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 235.9 thousand in March of 2026, contrasting with market expectations that it would rise further to 255 thousand. It was the lowest rate in five months. Starts in urban centers fell to 224 thousand, also the lowest in five months, while rural starts fell to a rate of 11.8 thousand units, the lowest in over one year.

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.