Ontario Drives 0.3% Increase in August New Housing Price Index

EIN Economy 1

The combined region of Toronto and Oshawa was the top contributor to the overall 0.3% increase in August, with prices up 0.6% over the previous month. Builders reported market conditions as the main reason for the gain. This marks the seventh straight month of price increases in that region.Prices remainedunchanged in 8 of the 21 metropolitan areas surveyed. Year over year, the New Housing Price Index (NHPI) rose 1.3% in August, following identical increases in June and July.

Chart 1: New Housing Price Index

The census metropolitan area (CMA) of Hamilton recorded the largest price increase in August, up 0.8%. Builders cited market conditions as the primary reason for the advance, the largest in that CMA since April 2013. Prices in Hamilton have been rising for four consecutive months.

Prices rose 0.7% in the CMA of St. Catharines-Niagara, following a 0.1% decrease the previous month. Builders reported higher material and labour costs and higher list prices as the main reasons for the increase— the largest in that CMA since February 2014.

New housing prices rose 0.2% in the CMAs of Montreal and London. According to builders, market conditions attributed to the rise in Montreal, while builders in London reported higher construction costs.

The CMAs of Quebec and Regina recorded the largest price decreases in August as both fell 0.2%. Builders in the CMA of Quebec cited market conditions as the main reason for the decline. Builders in Regina reported lowered prices to stimulate sales.

New home prices declined 0.1% in both Charlottetown and Victoria. Builders in Charlottetown lowered prices to encourage sales. In the CMA of Victoria, higher list prices were offset by lower negotiated selling prices. The decrease in Victoria follows three consecutive months of no price change.

Chart 2: Year over year price increases by municipality

EIN Economy 2

Hamilton as well as Toronto and Oshawa post the largest year-over-year price increases.

The combined metropolitan region of Toronto and Oshawa was the top contributor to the increase in August, with prices up 3.8% over the same month a year earlier. This was the largest year-over-year increase in that CMA since January 2013.
The CMA of Hamilton also recorded a 3.8% year-over-year increase—the largest in that CMA since March 2008.

Other notable increases were observed in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo (+1.6%), London (+1.5%) and Vancouver (+1.4%).

The combined metropolitan region of Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton recorded a 0.2% increase in August, the first annual increase in that CMA since May 2014.

Among the 21 metropolitan areas surveyed, 5 posted year-over-year price declines in August: Regina (-1.8%), Victoria (-1.6%), Ottawa–Gatineau (-1.0%), Québec (-0.6%) and Calgary (-0.2%). This was the first annual decline in Calgary since January 2012.

Source: Statistics Canada, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/151008/dq151008a-eng.htm?cmp=mstatcan.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Code Question on Section 24 – Patient Care Areas

    Code Question on Section 24 – Patient Care Areas

    July 14, 2025 The rules for the installation of panelboards, circuits, and bonding in Patient Care Area depends on whether the area is designated as either, Basic Care, Intermediate Care or Critical Care. How are these areas defined? Read more on Section 24 — Health care areas Read More…

  • Ontario’s Institutional Component Drives Non-Residential Construction Intentions in May 2025

    Ontario’s Institutional Component Drives Non-Residential Construction Intentions in May 2025

    July 14, 2025 In May, the total value of building permits issued in Canada rose by $1.4 billion (+12.0%) to reach $13.1 billion. The increase in construction intentions was driven by Ontario’s institutional component (+$1.3 billion). On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of building permits issued in May increased 11.8% from the previous month and was… Read More…

  • Plan Group Partners in Construction of UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital

    Plan Group Partners in Construction of UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital

    July 14, 2025 Plan Group is proud to be a partner in the construction of the UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital. Plan Group will provide work on the project in: Mechanical: Plumbing, HVAC, Controls, Medical GasElectrical: Lighting & Controls, Power Distribution, Emergency Generators, UPSTechnology: Structured Cabling, AV Systems including Digital Signage and IPTV UHN’s 15-storey Surgical… Read More…

  • How Canada Can Equip Workers for a Low-Carbon Future

    How Canada Can Equip Workers for a Low-Carbon Future

    July 14, 2025 The Canadian economy is shifting towards low-carbon industries, and the workforce is shifting with it. New roles are emerging, traditional ones are evolving and the demand for skilled workers is growing fast — particularly in light of the ambitious nation-building agenda the federal government has set out. In the federal Speech from… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Luxxbox Launches Quick Ship Program to Accelerate Project Timelines

    Luxxbox Launches Quick Ship Program to Accelerate Project Timelines

    July 16, 2025 Luxxbox announces the launch of its new Quick Ship Program, designed to provide architects, designers, and project managers in the United States and Canada with expedited access to a curated selection of their most in-demand acoustic lighting products. With a two-week turnaround from order to dispatch, the program ensures that project timelines… Read More…

  • ECS Earns Platinum Status for 8th Consecutive Year in Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program

    ECS Earns Platinum Status for 8th Consecutive Year in Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program

    July 16, 2025 Electrical Cable Supply (ECS), Canada’s largest independently owned wire and cable distributors, is proud to announce its re-certification with the prestigious Platinum designation in Deloitte’s Canada’s Best Managed Companies program for the eighth consecutive year. This announcement recognizes ECS’s sustained excellence in strategy, innovation, culture, and strong financial performance. The Canada’s Best… Read More…

  • Nexans Canada Partners with Skills Compétences Canada to Sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026

    Nexans Canada Partners with Skills Compétences Canada to Sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026

    July 16, 2025 Nexans has announced its partnership with Skills Compétences Canada (SCC), a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies. As part of the partnership, Nexans will sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026 as they prepare to compete at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, taking place in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27, 2026. “At Nexans,… Read More…

  • OEL Apprentice Success Project Available Until March 2026

    OEL Apprentice Success Project Available Until March 2026

    July 14, 2025 With renewed funding by Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, the OEL Apprentice Success Project is now available for another year until March 2026. The project is part of OEL’s Employer Engagement Program (EEP) consisting of wage, training, and equipment subsidies for apprentices. These funding opportunities are available to OEL Members and non-Members. For… Read More…