Canada Announces Housing Measures to Boost Construction in Halifax
The Government of Canada unveiled housing initiatives from the Spring Economic Update 2026, including billions in loans and investments aimed at increasing home construction and skilled trades capacity in Halifax.
On May 11, 2026, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, the Government of Canada announced new housing measures derived from the Spring Economic Update 2026. The announcement was made by Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab at DORA Construction, a company within the Macklan Group. These initiatives are designed to increase home construction in Halifax through workforce development, accelerated financing, and regulatory modernization.
A central component of the update is the acceleration of more than $7 billion in low-cost loans through the Apartment Construction Loan Program. This funding aims to support the construction of up to 16,500 new rental homes. Additionally, the government is investing $6 billion over five years to recruit, train, and hire skilled trades workers across Canada. As part of this workforce investment, Team Canada Strong intends to cut the time required for Red Seal certification by up to 50 per cent.
To streamline the building process, a $41.9 million investment over five years, starting in 2026–27, will be used to modernize Canada’s homebuilding system. This includes streamlining regulations and National Model Codes to facilitate approvals for modular and factory-built housing. The government also plans to unlock financing for “missing middle” housing by expanding mortgage insurance for three- to eight-unit residential buildings.
Halifax has previously received nearly $79 million in federal funding through the Housing Accelerator Fund, which helps fast-track the construction of approximately 8,900 new homes over the next eight years. The broader package includes $1.7 billion through the Improving Housing Supply Act. These measures aim to create good-paying jobs in skilled trades, reduce red tape and duplicate inspections in construction, and strengthen the local economy in Nova Scotia.