Ontario records consecutive months of improving housing starts | Globalnews.ca

Homebuilding in Ontario is showing early signs of recovery ahead of the spring construction season, potentially beginning to reverse years of decline. New data released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) shows housing starts in the province increased year-over-year for the second month in a row.According to the data, the number of new homes started in February increased 17 per cent this year to 4,665. Only 387 of them were single-family homes.While the CMHC found Toronto’s housing starts dipped by almost 30 per cent, other places recorded a significant increase.Overall, over the opening two months of the year, Ontario reported a 14-per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025. That was substantially above the national average of five per cent. Get breaking National news Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Get Started By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. The two months of growing housing starts will be welcome news for the Ford government, which has presided over years of stalling housing construction. Story continues below advertisement Initially, the premier blamed rising interest rates for the lack of housing, promising new homes would sprout “like mushrooms” if rates dropped.But when the cost of borrowing fell, the housing market didn’t rebound. Ford suggested the cost of building approvals and permits from cities was to blame, an issue his administration has repeatedly tried to address through legislation.Toward the end of last year, Ontario unveiled a new home tax incentive for first-time buyers. A couple of months after it was introduced, the premier said he knew it wouldn’t work. More on Canada More videos How Iran oil shock is spurring a crackdown to save energy around the world Saskatchewan RCMP saw almost 10K domestic violence victims in 2025 Abandoned car retrieved from ice off Nova Scotia shore by helicopter, snowmobiles IN PHOTOS: Northern Ontario buried under heavy snow amid winter storm US-Iran war: Trump demands other countries help protect Strait of Hormuz Canada to boost oil production by 140K barrels per day ‘How about Charter Rights for victims’: Doug Ford slams Canada’s bail reform laws 40% of severe pregnancy complications are missed, McMaster University study says Global News now understands the measure will be expanded to include anyone buying a new-build home, not just first-time purchasers.While the government has admitted its goal of 1.5 million new homes by 2031 is now a “soft target,” Housing Minister Rob Flack is hoping changes brought in last year will help spur construction for this spring. 5:06 Municipal Matters: Ontario housing tensions