---
source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
url: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/media-newsroom/news-releases/2026/housing-starts-february-2026
document_type: html
date_retrieved: 2026-03-16
release_date: March 16, 2026
period: February 2026
parent_publication: Housing Starts Survey
indicators_covered: [Housing Starts - SAAR, Housing Starts - Trend, Year-over-Year Growth]
currency: CAD
unit: thousands (seasonally adjusted annual rate)
---

# Housing Starts for February 2026

**Released:** Ottawa, March 16, 2026

**Source:** Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

## Key Findings

The six-month trend in housing starts was virtually flat in February, with a slight increase of 0.4% to 256,005 units, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The trend measure is a six-month moving average of the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of total housing starts for all areas in Canada.

### Total Monthly SAAR

**The total monthly SAAR of housing starts for all areas in Canada increased 4.5% in February (250,900 units) compared to January (240,148 units).**

### Year-over-Year Growth

Actual housing starts were up 10% year-over-year in centres with a population of 10,000 or greater, with 15,886 units recorded in February, compared to 14,420 units in February 2025. The year-to-date total was 31,974 units, up 5% from the same period in 2025, driven by higher starts to begin the year in British Columbia and Ontario, as higher starts across the province have, so far, made up for decreases in Toronto.

## Expert Commentary

"In February, the six-month trend in housing starts was essentially flat, indicating that the trend in new construction activity remains relatively steady despite ongoing monthly volatility," said Kevin Hughes, CMHC's Deputy Chief Economist. "Looking ahead, we expect heightened levels of business uncertainty and construction costs to weigh on the rate and trend of housing starts in the near-to-medium term."

## Methodology

Housing starts facilitate the analysis of monthly, quarterly, and year-over-year activity in the new home market. The data CMHC collects as part of the Starts and Completions and Market Absorption surveys helps obtain a clearer picture of upcoming new housing supply and is used as part of various housing reports.

## Data Tables

### Provincial Housing Starts (Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate)

| Province | Single-Detached Jan. 2026 | Single-Detached Feb. 2026 | Single-Detached % Change | All Others Jan. 2026 | All Others Feb. 2026 | All Others % Change | Total Jan. 2026 | Total Feb. 2026 | Total % Change |
|----------|---------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|----------------------|---------------------|----------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
| N.L. | 747 | 769 | 3% | 447 | 454 | 2% | 1,194 | 1,223 | 2% |
| P.E.I. | 322 | 317 | -2% | 790 | 646 | -18% | 1,112 | 963 | -13% |
| N.S. | 1,588 | 1,473 | -7% | 5,664 | 5,673 | 0% | 7,252 | 7,146 | -1% |
| N.B. | 1,148 | 1,065 | -7% | 5,306 | 4,946 | -7% | 6,454 | 6,011 | -7% |
| Quebec | 4,941 | 4,999 | 1% | 47,041 | 48,463 | 3% | 51,982 | 53,461 | 3% |
| Ontario | 10,135 | 9,753 | -4% | 55,622 | 57,521 | 3% | 65,757 | 67,274 | 2% |
| Manitoba | 2,103 | 2,079 | -1% | 5,696 | 5,564 | -2% | 7,799 | 7,642 | -2% |
| Saskatchewan | 1,955 | 2,066 | 6% | 3,372 | 3,420 | 1% | 5,327 | 5,486 | 3% |

### Census Metropolitan Areas (Major Centres)

| CMA | Single-Detached Jan. 2026 | Single-Detached Feb. 2026 | Single-Detached % Change | All Others Jan. 2026 | All Others Feb. 2026 | All Others % Change | Total Jan. 2026 | Total Feb. 2026 | Total % Change |
|-----|---------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|----------------------|---------------------|----------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
| Abbotsford – Mission | 178 | 178 | — | 1,154 | 1,034 | -10% | 1,332 | 1,212 | -9% |
| Barrie | 186 | 227 | 22% | 292 | 316 | 8% | 478 | 543 | 14% |
| Belleville – Quinte West | 158 | 136 | -14% | 402 | 400 | 0% | 560 | 536 | -4% |
| Brantford | 317 | 327 | 3% | 1,018 | 666 | -35% | 1,335 | 992 | -26% |
| Calgary | 5,844 | 5,915 | 1% | 20,338 | 19,026 | -6% | 26,182 | 24,941 | -5% |
| Chilliwack | 138 | 132 | -4% | 414 | 428 | 3% | 552 | 560 | 1% |
| Drummondville | 224 | 242 | 8% | 1,294 | 1,206 | -7% | 1,518 | 1,448 | -5% |
| Edmonton | 5,610 | 5,560 | -1% | 10,098 | 9,764 | -3% | 15,707 | 15,324 | -2% |

## About CMHC

CMHC plays a critical role as a national convenor to promote stability and sustainability in Canada's housing finance system. CMHC's mortgage insurance products support access to home ownership and the creation and maintenance of rental supply. CMHC research and data help inform housing policy. By facilitating cooperation between all levels of government, private and non-profit sectors, CMHC contributes to advancing housing affordability, equity, and climate compatibility. CMHC actively supports the Government of Canada in delivering on its commitment to make housing more affordable.

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## Key Statistics Summary

| Metric | Value | Period |
|--------|-------|--------|
| **Total SAAR** | **250,900 units** | **February 2026** |
| **Previous Month (Jan 2026)** | 240,148 units | January 2026 |
| **Monthly Change** | +4.5% | Jan → Feb 2026 |
| **6-Month Trend** | 256,005 units | February 2026 |
| **6-Month Trend Change** | +0.4% | Jan → Feb 2026 |
| **YoY Change (pop. >10K)** | +10% | Feb 2025 → Feb 2026 |
| **YoY Units (pop. >10K)** | 15,886 units | February 2026 |
| **YTD Total (pop. >10K)** | 31,974 units | Jan – Feb 2026 |
| **YTD Change (pop. >10K)** | +5% | 2025 → 2026 |