National

U.S. tariffs set to slow pace of homebuilding in Canada: CHBA

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Mar, 2025 10:55 AM

Canada's building industry says a trade war with the United States will slow down the pace of home construction.

Canadian Home Builders' Association CEO Kevin Lee says the U.S. tariffs levied against Canada today will have a "muted" impact on the industry on their own.

But he says an expected slowdown in the economy tied to tariff impacts could hold the housing market back, dragging down housing starts.

Today, CHBA CEO Kevin Lee spoke to reporters on Parliament Hill about the release of CHBA's #MunicipalBenchmarkingStudy, underscoring that policy change is needed to ramp up housing supply & address #housingaffordability challenges.

Watch 🎥 https://t.co/968y1iFKuq #cdnpoli
— CHBA National (@CHBANational) March 4, 2025

Canada has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade salvos with retaliatory tariffs targeting $30 billion worth of U.S. goods, with billions more in counter-tariffs set to follow in three weeks.

Lee says that if these retaliatory tariffs hit critical construction materials coming from the U.S., they could drive up costs for builders.

He says municipalities can help offset the slowdown by speeding up approval processes and lowering development charges to get new homes built.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

What Canada can learn from Trump's campaign

Trump has not yet moved into the White House but his victory sent shockwaves around the world. Not even a month after the election, Trump brought back "Twitter diplomacy," posting on social media threats of devastating 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

What Canada can learn from Trump's campaign

B.C. team building 100 beaver 'starter homes' in the name of wetland preservation

In British Columbia's real estate market, many people dream of a turnkey starter home in a prime location. Environmental researchers are hoping the same real estate principles will encourage beavers to move into prebuilt homes in some areas of the province and help improve wetlands.

B.C. team building 100 beaver 'starter homes' in the name of wetland preservation

LeBlanc, Joly to meet with incoming Trump administration officials in Florida

A statement from LeBlanc's office says the duo travelled to Palm Beach, where they planned to use those talks to underscore "Canada's efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration and the measures outlined in Canada’s Border Plan."

LeBlanc, Joly to meet with incoming Trump administration officials in Florida

Conservatives call for no-confidence vote by late January

Conservative MP Jonathan Williamson says he'll get the ball rolling early in the New Year on no-confidence vote that could bring down Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government in a little more than a month. Williamson says in a social media post he will put forward his non-confidence motion at a public accounts committee meeting on Jan. 7.

Conservatives call for no-confidence vote by late January

A fatal collision in Surrey on Christmas Day killed one woman: police

Police in Surrey are investigating a collision at an intersection, involving two vehicles, that has claimed the life of a passenger. Surrey Police Service says officers responded to the scene at the intersection of Highway 15 and Highway 10 before noon on Dec. 25 when they found a passenger in the vehicle passed away despite life-saving efforts.

A fatal collision in Surrey on Christmas Day killed one woman: police

Police save Christmas after thieves stole gifts under tree in Langley

Mounties in Langley say they have saved Christmas for one family after thieves stole gifts from under their tree. Police say the break-and-enter incident occurred on Dec. 22 in a home, where several wrapped Christmas presents that had been placed under the family's Christmas tree were stolen.