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The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reports that while the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of housing starts in June was flat, there was growth in both the six-month trend and year-over-year actual starts. Housing starts increased by 14% year-over-year in cities with populations over 10,000. There is a varying pace of construction across Canada, with Quebec and the Prairie provinces seeing increases, while Toronto and Vancouver's weak condo markets are affecting their overall housing starts. Vancouver saw a significant increase in multi-unit starts, but Toronto and Montreal experienced declines in housing starts compared to the previous year.

The construction sector in Canada experienced a notable increase in employment during June, with the workforce expanding by 7,600 workers from May, leading to a total of 1,640,800 employees. Over the past year, the sector added 55,600 jobs, marking a 3.5% rise compared to June 2024. Canada's overall employment grew by 83,000 jobs, with a significant contribution from part-time positions. The unemployment rate inched down to 6.9%, although the construction sector's unemployment slightly increased to 6.7% for the month.

Ontario and Alberta have signed Memorandums of Understanding to cooperate on the development of energy and trade infrastructure, including pipelines and rail lines, to diversify Canada's trading partners. The plans include new pipelines using Ontario steel and rail lines connecting critical mineral supply chains to ports in Western Canada. They also intend to advocate for favorable federal regulations and explore nuclear energy developments. A joint feasibility study will identify optimal routes for these projects.

The Canadian construction industry is increasingly adopting new technologies to enhance productivity amidst growing pressures to build faster. According to a KPMG survey, 90% of construction leaders acknowledge the need for digital tools, which are already showing benefits in productivity. Procurement processes are evolving to support innovation, although challenges like skilled labor shortages and regional regulatory differences remain. Key technologies being prioritized include modular construction, robotics, and AI, with a focus on improving supply chain efficiency.

Maple Reinders Group has sold its subsidiary, AIM Group Ltd., to Convertus Canada, a company specializing in organic waste processing. AIM Group has been instrumental in providing environmental solutions, such as designing and operating municipal organics facilities in Canada. This acquisition aims to enhance sustainable waste management practices across North America. Convertus Canada plans to integrate AIM's operations, strengthening its position as Canada's largest processor of organic waste.

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) and Canada Climate Law Initiative (CCLI) have released a report urging the construction sector to integrate climate resilience into their governance. With the construction industry responsible for nearly 30% of Canada's GHG emissions, the guide offers a roadmap for industry leaders to address climate risks and build sustainable communities. The report emphasizes the role of directors and senior leadership in taking climate action as both a strategic imperative and competitive advantage. It provides practical guidance for companies to implement climate governance across their operations.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reports that Canada needs to double its housing construction to 430,000 to 480,000 units annually for affordability to return to pre-pandemic levels. Major cities like Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver show significant supply gaps, with Edmonton being an exception. CMHC argues that achieving this demand will require advancements in workforce capacity, innovative construction technology, and reductions in regulatory and developmental costs. They emphasize that resolving the housing crisis will take a long-term, systemic approach.

Construction employment in Canada slightly increased in April, with 796 additional workers in the sector, although year-over-year figures reveal a decrease of 6,600 workers since April 2024. National job vacancies dropped by 3.2% in April, representing a tightening job market. Nevertheless, the construction sector continues to face a high level of job vacancies, with 41,100 unfilled positions and a 3.4% vacancy rate.

Statistics Canada reports that despite spending over $31 billion on renewing infrastructure in 2022, nearly $294.4 billion is needed to bring all public infrastructure assets to good condition. Transportation infrastructure requires the largest share of these funds, especially in rural areas. Only 11% of the required renewal budget was allocated in 2022, leading to a decline in assets rated good or very good. The report highlights significant investment needs in various sectors such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and public transit.

In May, Canada experienced a stagnation in housing starts with a slight increase in the six-month trend but a minor monthly decline, according to CMHC. Actual housing starts rose by 9% year-over-year in cities with populations over 10,000, partly due to single-detached homes and rentals in Quebec and the Prairies. Montreal saw an increase in housing starts, while Vancouver and Toronto experienced declines, largely due to weaker condominium markets.

Fleet managers are increasingly using AI, specifically Geotab's Generative AI assistant, to gain insights into driver safety and performance. The most used prompts focus on identifying safe drivers and tracking safety improvements rather than penalizing poor performance. A majority of drivers support the use of technology to enhance driving performance, and over 1,500 companies now use this AI solution. This approach reflects a shift towards a supportive and coaching mindset in fleet management.

In April, the total value of building permits in Canada declined by 6.6%, largely due to a decrease in the residential sector. Residential construction intentions fell to $7.4 billion, with a significant drop in multi-family dwelling permits, particularly in British Columbia. Conversely, non-residential building permits rose by 3.3%, led by industrial and commercial sectors, especially in Ontario. Overall, Ontario saw an increase in non-residential permits, while British Columbia experienced the largest decline in residential permits.