Nationally, housing starts across all areas of Canada totalled 259,028 units in 2025, making it the fifth-highest annual total on record and representing a 5.6% increase over 2024. This growth was driven largely by a second consecutive year of record rental housing starts, which accounted for just over half of all urban housing starts.
Among Canada’s big three cities, all saw year-over-year increases in December. Toronto led the way with a 151% increase, driven by higher multi-unit starts. Montreal posted a 123% year-over-year increase, driven by higher starts across all dwelling types. Vancouver recorded a +17% increase in December, also driven by multi-unit starts.
The report notes most housing construction occurred in the Spring and Summer. Since September, the trend is toward reduced housing starts. Economic uncertainty and a decreased viability of large residential towers seems to be shifting the sector towards smaller-scale construction projects.
Housing start date is available on the CMHC Housing Market Information Portal, and new data is released on the eleventh business day each month.
Source: CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)
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