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

Special avalanche warning issued in B.C., Alberta as 'dangerous' conditions develop

Avalanche Canada has issued a special warning covering large sections of B.C. and western Alberta's backcountry, saying triggered slides could be "dangerous and destructive." The forecaster says drought in January and February created "prominent weak layers" in the snowpack that are now buried under up to 100 centimetres of new snow.

Special avalanche warning issued in B.C., Alberta as 'dangerous' conditions develop

B.C. audit finds no co-ordination on the implementation of child-care promises

British Columbia's acting auditor general says seven years after promising to add capacity in regional health authorities to license, monitor, and investigate child-care facilities, the province doesn't know if it has done those things. The report, which covers from April 2022 to July 2024, says the ministry did not co-ordinate to document expectations for implementing the commitment, monitoring the implementation, or reporting progress.

B.C. audit finds no co-ordination on the implementation of child-care promises

Trump plans tariffs on Mexico and Canada for Tuesday, while doubling existing 10% tariffs on China

President Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Tuesday, in addition to doubling the 10% universal tariff charged on imports from China. In a Truth Social post Thursday, Trump said illicit drugs such as fentanyl are being smuggled into the United States at “unacceptable levels" and that import taxes would force other countries to crack down on the trafficking.

Trump plans tariffs on Mexico and Canada for Tuesday, while doubling existing 10% tariffs on China

B.C. to require Canadian-made biofuels to meet standards for gas, diesel

British Columbia's energy minister says the province will soon require Canadian-made products to fulfil renewable fuel standards for gasoline and diesel. Adrian Dix says B.C.'s requirement of five-per-cent renewable fuel content for gasoline must be met with Canadian-made fuel starting Jan. 1, 2026.

B.C. to require Canadian-made biofuels to meet standards for gas, diesel

Six illegal ride-hailing drivers fined more than $13K in one day, says Richmond RCMP

Mounties in Richmond say a crackdown on illegal ride-hailing operators in the city has resulted in more than $13,000 in fines being issued to six drivers in one day. RCMP say officers have been working with the transport ministry to combat illegal ride-hailing operators who "pose a significant risk" to public safety.

Six illegal ride-hailing drivers fined more than $13K in one day, says Richmond RCMP

Engine failure, bucket led to deadly helicopter crash during Alberta wildfire: TSB

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says engine failure less than a minute into a flight contributed to a deadly helicopter crash during a 2023 wildfire in northern Alberta. It says the helicopter's pilot had been tapped to help with firefighting efforts in the Peace River region and took off with an empty water bucket suspended from a 45-metre line.