OTTAWA, ON — Improved markets for multi-family housing in Quebec and Ontario helped housing starts in Canada climb 13.7% to 180,719 units on a seasonally adjusted annual rate in February, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
Big increases, especially in urban housing, were reported in Ontario, +46.8%; and Quebec, +34.9%. British Columbia gained 2.1% and the Prairies gained 1.5% while urban starts declined 31.7% in Atlantic Canada.
“The trend in total housing starts continued to moderate in February," said Mathieu Laberge, deputy chief economist for CMHC. "Moderation in economic fundamentals in the second half of 2012 has led to more modest housing demand and builders are adjusting accordingly."
| Canada | February 2012 | February 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Actual, all areas | 12,247 | 10,965 |
| Actual, rural areas | 638 | 663 |
| Actual, urban centres1 | ||
| February — Single-Detached | 3,628 | 3,352 |
| February — Multiples | 7,981 | 6,950 |
| February — Total | 11,609 | 10,302 |
| January to February — Single-Detached | 7,335 | 6,634 |
| January to February — Multiples | 16,582 | 12,824 |
| January to February — Total | 23,917 | 19,458 |
| January 2013 | February 2013 | |
| SAAR2, all areas | 158,998 | 180,719 |
| SAAR, rural areas | 22,443 | 19,088 |
| SAAR, urban centres1 | ||
| Single-detached | 59,035 | 62,609 |
| Multiples | 77,520 | 99,022 |
| Total | 136,555 | 161,631 |
| Atlantic, urban centres1 | 12,181 | 8,320 |
| Quebec, urban centres1 | 24,442 | 32,980 |
| Ontario, urban centres1 | 41,430 | 60,808 |
| Prairies, urban centres1 | 36,891 | 37,462 |
| British Columbia, urban centres1 | 21,611 | 22,061 |
Source: CMHC
1 Urban centres with a population of 10,000 and over.
2 Seasonally Adjusted at Annual Rates
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