Housing starts in Canada declined by 6% in March 2026 from the previous month, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 235.9 thousand units, contrary to market expectations for an increase to 255 thousand. This marked the lowest level in five months. Urban housing starts fell to 224 thousand units, also a five-month low, while rural starts decreased to 11.8 thousand units, the weakest pace in more than a year.