The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has reported a slight decrease in the annual pace of housing starts for the month of August compared to July. According to the national housing agency, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts reached 229,046 units in August, which is a minor decline from the 229,360 units observed in July.

In terms of actual monthly housing starts, the data indicates that in areas with a population of 10,000 or more, there were a total of 17,691 units initiated in August. This figure is down from the 18,112 units reported in August 2025, illustrating a continued downward trend in the housing market during this period.

The CMHC also provided an estimate for rural starts, which was assessed at 11,224 units. This estimate highlights the ongoing developments in rural regions, even as urban areas face challenges in housing construction.

Furthermore, the six-month moving average of the seasonally adjusted annual rate for total housing starts across all regions in Canada stood at 244,149 units in August. This represents a decrease of 1.3 percent from the previous month, July, indicating a broader trend of declining housing activity in the country.

CMHC's Deputy Chief Economist, Kevin Hughes, has commented on the situation, noting that the decline in housing starts is a slight trend observed in August. While there were modest gains in housing starts in provinces like Quebec and Alberta, these were not sufficient to counterbalance the notable decreases seen in other provinces, particularly Ontario. This province, often a key driver in housing construction in Canada, experienced significant reductions in new housing starts.

Overall, the housing market's performance in August reflects a complex landscape characterized by regional disparities, ongoing declines in certain areas, and a cautious outlook from industry experts. The CMHC's findings underscore the need for stakeholders in the housing sector to closely monitor these trends while considering the economic and demographic factors influencing housing demand across Canada.