Prime Minister Mark Carney today announced the launch of Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency tasked with building 4,000 homes on six federally owned sites across Canada.
Construction is expected to begin next year in Dartmouth (NS), Longueuil (QC), Ottawa (ON), Toronto (ON), Winnipeg (MB), and Edmonton (AB).
“The core challenge present in the housing market is that it’s just too hard to build,” said Prime Minister Carney. “By using federal land and removing barriers, we can lower costs for builders and, most importantly, lower rents and new home prices for Canadian families.”
Key Features of Build Canada Homes
- 4,000 New Units on Federal Land – Six sites identified, with more to come as departments review additional properties for development.
- Rental Protection Fund Continuation – Community housing groups will continue to receive federal support to purchase and protect affordable rental units.
- $1 Billion Transitional Housing Fund – Dedicated to helping people at risk of homelessness access safe, stable housing.
- Modern Construction Techniques – Build Canada Homes will prioritize factory-built, modular, and mass timber construction methods, allowing for quicker, more cost-efficient builds year-round.
- Buy Canadian Policy – All projects will prioritize Canadian-made materials and inputs, strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting jobs.
Leadership & Next Steps
The agency will be led by Ana Bailão, former Toronto Deputy Mayor and long-time advocate for affordable housing, who brings extensive experience from her time serving on the board of Toronto Community Housing.
“Build Canada Homes will not only deliver homes faster, but it will set a new national standard for affordability and innovation in construction,” said Bailão.
Carney added that Build Canada Homes will act as the federal government’s central driver of affordable housing projects and will work closely with provincial, municipal, and Indigenous partners to accelerate development timelines.