Canada housing starts rise 3% in September despite annual decline

Canada’s seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts rose approximately 3 per cent to 248,896 units in September, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC). Despite this monthly increase, actual construction remains weaker than the previous year. In communities of 10,000 or more people, starts fell 11 per cent compared to September 2025.

Year-to-date data for January through September shows total starts at 170,964, a 4 per cent decrease from the same period last year. While permitted units awaiting construction rose 1.1 per cent, units currently under construction in major centers remained largely unchanged. Regional trends showed divergence, with Vancouver seeing a 6 per cent rise in six-month trends, while Montreal starts fell by 8 per cent.

In Red Deer, local housing starts have declined through the first nine months of the year. Single-family detached home starts in the area fell 15 per cent compared to the previous year, while total housing starts decreased by 9 per cent. Local industry observers noted that while apartment projects remain active, uncertainty regarding a referendum may be contributing to buyer hesitation.