Canadian Housing Starts (May 2026)

Canadian housing starts decreased 6 per cent from the previous month, totaling 261,377 units in May at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). Starts were down 6 per cent from the same month last year (SAAR). In areas with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached housing starts were largely unchanged year-over-year, while multi-family and other starts decreased by 6 per cent compared to May 2025

In British Columbia, starts fell by 34 per cent from last month to 38,219 units (SAAR) in all areas of the province. In areas of the province with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached starts increased by 24 per cent to 3,891 units, while multi-family starts fell by 38 per cent to 32,042 units month-over-month (SAAR). Starts in the province were 2 per cent below the levels from May 2025 (SAAR). Year-to-date starts are up 123 per cent in Nanaimo, 30 per cent in Victoria, and 8 per cent in Vancouver, but down 24 per cent in Abbotsford and 9 per cent in Kelowna.