Canadian housing starts increased 17 per cent from the previous month, totalling 279,317 units in April at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR).Starts were down 1 per cent from the same month last year (SAAR). In areas with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached housing starts decreased by 19 per cent year-over-year, while multi-family and other starts increased by 3 per cent compared to April 2025

In British Columbia, starts rose by 88 per cent from last month to 57,640 units (SAAR) in all areas of the province. In areas of the province with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached starts decreased by 26 per cent to 3,156 units, while multi-family starts rose by 116 per cent to 52,041 units month-over-month (SAAR). Starts in the province were 5 per cent above the levels from April 2025 (SAAR). Year-to-date starts are up 142 per cent in Nanaimo, 55 per cent in Victoria, and 12 per cent in Vancouver, but down 71 per cent in Abbotsford and 6 per cent in Kelowna.