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Annual pace of housing starts slowed 5% in July, CMHC says

Globe and Mail - Business - 2026-08-18

AI Summary

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reported that the annual pace of housing starts slowed by 5% in July compared to June, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 229,074 units. Actual housing starts in urban centres with populations over 10,000 decreased by 19% year-over-year in July. Despite the slowdown in new starts, the number of completed construction units rose 8.1% from June.

Key takeaways

  • National housing starts pace fell 5% in July.
  • Urban housing starts down 19% year-over-year.
  • Completed construction units increased 8.1% in July.

What this could mean for homebuyers

Mortgage news can affect fixed rates, variable-rate expectations, affordability, and buyer timing. Use this article as context, then compare today's rates or ask the AI Mortgage Advisor how it applies to your situation.

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