Ontario Construction News staff writer
The governments of Canada and Quebec have signed new agreements aimed at speeding up housing construction and supporting municipal infrastructure needed to deliver new homes across the province.
Ottawa and Quebec have entered into a memorandum of understanding to guide the rollout of the federal Build Canada Homes program in Quebec, aligning it with provincial priorities and jurisdictions. The agreement establishes a joint collaboration table to coordinate funding for affordable housing projects, streamline approval processes and improve coordination among federal, provincial, municipal and community partners.
The two governments also signed an agreement under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), which will see the federal government invest nearly $1 billion in Quebec.
Funding will support the modernization and expansion of infrastructure required for residential development, including drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems. Quebec will allocate the funding in line with its own guidelines and regional needs.
Officials said the combined approach is intended to address infrastructure constraints that often slow housing projects, particularly in growing municipalities, while increasing the supply of affordable housing.
The announcement was made in Québec City by federal and provincial ministers responsible for housing, infrastructure and municipal affairs, along with the mayor of Québec City.
Build Canada Homes, launched in September 2025, is focused on increasing the supply of affordable housing nationwide, including through modular and prefabricated construction methods and better coordination of domestic supply chains. The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund is backed by a $6-billion national envelope to help communities build and upgrade infrastructure needed to support housing growth and increased density.
Federal officials said the new agreements are intended to provide a more coordinated and practical framework to respond to housing demand in Quebec, while provincial representatives emphasized that the arrangements respect Quebec’s jurisdiction and legislative framework.
