May 8, 2026 Etobicoke, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
It provides a clear update on the strength of Canada's economy, giving Canadians confidence in our plan. It delivers targeted relief to make life more affordable, support workers, and accelerate the construction of homes and major infrastructure. It also strengthens Canada's competitiveness and economic growth while investing in strong, safe communities across the country.
Today, the Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour), was at SMART - Local 285 to highlight housing measures from the Spring Economic Update 2026 that will help build more homes in Etobicoke, Ontario-by growing the skilled workforce, speeding up construction, and supporting modern methods of construction.
The Spring Economic Update 2026 takes a practical, coordinated approach to housing-bringing together workforce investments and targeted measures to help projects move faster from planning to construction.
A cornerstone of this approach is $6 billion to recruit, train, and hire skilled trades workers across Canada. These investments will ensure communities have the skilled tradespeople they need, such as electricians, carpenters, welders, construction workers, sheet metal workers and gas technicians needed to build homes for Canadians- all while creating good paying jobs and careers in the skilled trades. This is especially important as we make the push to build with more Canadian labour and with more Canadian materials.
In Etobicoke, where the housing demand remains strong, workforce investments are paired with targeted measures to help projects move faster from financing to construction. The Spring Economic Update 2026 accelerates more than $7 billion in low-cost loans through the Apartment Construction Loan Program, supporting the construction of up to 16,500 new rental homes and helping bring much‑needed supply to market sooner.
These efforts are reinforced by a $41.9 million investment over five years, starting in 2026-27, to modernize and innovate Canada's homebuilding system. This funding will streamline regulations and update National Model Codes in collaboration with provinces and territories-cutting red tape, eliminating duplicate inspections, as well as streamlining modular and factory‑built housing. Together, in Ontario and across Canada, these measures also create the opportunity to build with materials that help grow our economy and support local jobs - like building with Canadian lumber, steel, concrete. This means building faster and more sustainably, while supporting modern methods of construction.
Our new government is building a Canada that is not just strong, but good; not just prosperous, but fair; a Canada that is not just for some, most of the time, but for all, at all times. We're building Canada strong, for all.
