Canadian Housing Starts (March 2025)

Canadian housing starts fell by 3 per cent to 214,155 units in March at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). Compared to the same month last year, starts were down 12 per cent.

Single-detached housing starts remained flat month-over-month at 49,667 units, while multi-family and other starts declined by 4 per cent to 164,484 units (SAAR).

British Columbia Highlights

In British Columbia, total housing starts rose by 5 per cent month-over-month to 31,145 units (SAAR), covering all regions across the province.

In urban areas with populations of 10,000 or more:

• Single-detached starts increased by 3 per cent to 3,866 units.
• Multi-family starts grew by 6 per cent to 25,302 units.

Overall, British Columbia starts were 12 per cent below March 2024 levels.

Year-to-Date Regional Performance

• Abbotsford: Up 122 per cent
• Nanaimo: Down 48 per cent
• Vancouver: Down 37 per cent
• Kelowna: Down 36 per cent
• Victoria: Down 33 per cent

- BCREA