Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) is warning that continued tariff uncertainty is already having consequences for the housing and renovation sectors.
“Tariffs on construction materials will cause delays and increase costs for both housing/renovation and the infrastructure and community building needed to accommodate new housing supply,” the CHBA said in a statement.
The association said it has repeatedly urged the federal government to exclude construction materials from retaliatory tariffs, arguing that additional duties could increase costs and cause delays for housing, renovation, infrastructure and community-building projects.
Where counter-tariffs are necessary, Canada should focus on U.S. products that can be more easily sourced from other countries, minimizing the impact on Canadian businesses and construction costs.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) has already been dealing with tariffs and trade uncertainty for more than 18 months and expressed disappointment that the effects of the dispute are now spreading to other sectors of the Canadian economy.
“This escalation underscores the need to restore a stable and predictable trading relationship between Canada and the United States,” the organization said. “Our economies and supply chains are deeply integrated, and continued tariffs create uncertainty and added costs on both sides of the border.”
The CISC said it hopes the two countries can return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement that provides relief for the steel construction industry and other sectors affected by the dispute.
The organization said it will continue working with governments and industry stakeholders to ensure decision-makers understand the challenges facing steel fabricators and the broader construction industry.
The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) also backed a coordinated “Team Canada” approach, saying Ottawa must protect Canadian workers, businesses and the economy while continuing to pursue a constructive path toward fair and reliable trade.
But the association said the continuing dispute is creating significant challenges for construction at a time when Canada is looking to accelerate housing and major infrastructure development.
“Tariffs and counter-tariffs increase costs, complicate supply chains, and create uncertainty for contractors, owners, and the communities counting on new housing and infrastructure,” the BCCA said.
It said any retaliatory measures should take into account the importance of keeping construction projects moving and building the infrastructure needed to strengthen Canada’s economy and expand access to new markets.
The BCCA said the longer-term response should also include building Canadian industrial capacity, improving productivity, strengthening domestic supply chains and diversifying markets.
“This is a challenging moment, but it is also an opportunity to strengthen Canada’s economy for the long term,” the association said. “Our industry is ready to be part of that work.”
The latest escalation comes as Canada’s construction sector continues to contend with higher material costs, supply-chain uncertainty and pressure to deliver more housing and infrastructure. Industry groups are now urging governments to ensure the trade dispute does not further undermine the ability of contractors, developers and manufacturers to keep projects moving.
