The federal government has formally launched Build Canada Homes, a new housing agency tasked with tackling affordability challenges through large-scale construction projects that emphasize speed, sustainability and Canadian-made materials.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the agency will begin work with a $13-billion budget, with plans to build 4,000 homes on six federally owned sites across major cities including Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton.
The program will also extend to Dartmouth, N.S. and Longueuil, Quebec, with construction expected to start next year.
Focus on Factory-Built and Sustainable Construction
The agency will prioritize modular and factory-built housing that can be assembled quickly, even in winter months.
Mass timber and Canadian-made materials such as domestic lumber and steel will also be central to its building model.
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Leadership and Early Initiatives
Former Toronto deputy mayor Ana Bailão has been appointed as CEO. She previously led Toronto’s “Housing Now” program, which made city-owned lands available for affordable housing projects.
Along with its construction targets, the agency will manage a $1.5-billion rental protection fund to help non-profits purchase aging rental buildings and a $1-billion fund for transitional housing projects serving people at risk of homelessness.
Federal Lands Identified for Development
Officials said 88 sites across the country, totalling more than 460 hectares, have already been identified as suitable for development. The federal government has also signalled it will accelerate approvals by offering bulk project permits, a step meant to reduce bottlenecks that have slowed construction in the past.
Impact on Ontario’s Housing Sector
The launch comes amid growing concerns about the state of Ontario’s housing market, where housing starts have fallen sharply in recent months.
Richard Lyall, president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), warned that supply shortages could deepen if governments fail to co-ordinate their efforts.
“Unless governments make serious moves, there is little chance of the federal government reaching its target of building 500,000 homes a year, or of Ontario building 1.5 million between 2023 and 2031,” Lyall said.
Looking Ahead
By combining public land, domestic resources and factory-style production, Build Canada Homes aims to double housing output while cutting costs and timelines.
Critics, however, have questioned whether the $13-billion budget and planned rollouts will be sufficient to meet the demand for affordable housing nationwide.
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