Canadian housing starts slowed in October as the once-hot British Columbia market braked sharply, while separate data on Tuesday showed the value of building permits slipped in September, suggesting the country's long property boom is cooling.

Groundbreaking on new homes fell to 192,928 units in October, roughly in line with expectations, from a revised seasonally adjusted annual rate of 219,363 units in September, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp said.

The slowdown in new construction was sharpest in British Columbia, where starts dropped 44.9 percent. Vancouver, Canada's most expensive housing market, has come off the boil since the August introduction of a tax on foreign buyers in that city.

Housing starts in Ontario, by contrast, rose 20.0 percent in October, suggesting Canada's largest city, Toronto, remains red-hot, the report from the federal housing agency showed.

A long housing boom in Canada sparked fears of a real estate bubble, and the government has moved multiple times to tighten mortgage and tax rules to prevent borrowers from taking on too much debt to get into the market.

"Residential construction activity remains a highly regional story in Canada. The new development in October was the falloff in Vancouver, which could be the first sign that builders are responding to much softer demand in that region," BMO Capital Markets senior economist Robert Kavcic said in a research note.

The addition of a 15 percent surcharge on foreign buyers in Vancouver has cooled the most expensive segment of that market, but Toronto still sees bidding wars for many homes, particularly detached houses. The market in the rest of the country has mostly cooled.

The slowdown in housing starts was more pronounced in the multiples segment - typically condos and apartments - than in detached housing, the report showed. Multiple urban starts fell 15.3 percent, while single-detached urban starts notched a milder 5.4 percent decline.

A separate report showed the value of Canadian building permits fell 7 percent in September from August, the biggest drop in eight months, though residential permits were up in the month. Analysts had expected an overall decrease of 5.6 percent.

The decline was attributed to lower construction intentions for non-residential buildings, especially in retail complexes and office buildings.

The total value of residential building permits rose 2.6 percent in September on construction intentions for multi-family dwellings. The non-residential sector fell 22.3 percent, led by a drop in the commercial component.

Andrea Hopkins

After some very disturbing news from British Columbia this summer, where a Globe and Mail investigation discovered that our major banks were favouring foreign buyers by turning a blind eye to a prudent approval process when granting them uninsured mortgages, one has to wonder about the future of housing in this country. Have these deplorable bank practices, since rescinded, fearing the public outcry, been condoned and encouraged by our government, which previously voiced concern about foreign ownership? How else could Ottawa’s (only) recently introduced measures in closing loopholes related to capital gains taxes and mortgage qualifying criteria, be explained? Why so late and only after such reporting?

The mayors of major Canadian cities recently urged federal and provincial governments to address problems of social housing and supply of affordable rental housing, in general. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson took the opportunity to voice his own thoughts on the B.C. foreign buyers’ situation by saying that the province’s 15-per-cent tax on foreign buyers was too little, too late – the days when middle-class Canadians could buy a home in Vancouver or Toronto have probably passed. Not surprising, given that median family income in those cities is about $76,000, but due to enormously inflated prices, it takes well into six figures to afford the carrying cost of an average home in those cities.

Speaking of the B.C. tax on foreign buyers, alarm bells were sounding the threat of a crash. Year over year, Vancouver housing sales were down 39 per cent in October (they were down 15 per cent even before the tax’s introduction) and prices were down 7.5 per cent as of August. But whatever slowdown Vancouver experienced, Toronto and a few other cities have been picking up the slack.

Notwithstanding surcharges and tightening mortgage-qualification measures, it’s quite evident that Ottawa has been complacent in allowing foreign buyers to buy up the roofs over our heads. Indeed, with little else to sell, our economy has depended on it. A recent study suggests that land-transfer taxes will become the main source of income in British Columbia this year. Recent openings of visa centres across China and other countries suggest that we are set to encourage the arrival of even more foreign buyers, who will drive prices higher still.

A sombre thought that comes to mind is what may happen if this comes to make housing completely unaffordable for Canadian citizens. As I’ve suggested on my blog, many of us would likely be forced to become renters.

There are now more millionaires in China than in the United States. Facing uncertain political and economic circumstances at home, many of them are desperate to move their money abroad, and Canada is a popular destination. The National Bank of Canada estimates that Chinese buyers were responsible for about one-third of Vancouver sales in 2015. Many such purchases are made through the children of wealthy Chinese, who are sent to study here and later qualify for permanent resident status, acquire jobs and the right to sponsor their parents.

In the long run, a 15-per-cent tax on foreign buying will not serve as a deterrent. We are at the crossroads of a major global demographic shift in which our aging population is being replenished and enhanced by newcomers, mostly from Asian countries. Canada offers an exceptional opportunity because of its large size and relatively small population. And while it is natural and prudent to enhance our population with qualified immigrants (Chinese included), it is highly unfair to lean on new arrivals who, as a class, arrive with such superior finances. Experience shows that such individuals do not contribute to the growth of our economy the way traditionally selected immigrants do.

The time has come for the federal government to make housing policies its top priority.

Leasing out available government plots to developers would enable the construction of less expensive mid-rises to address social housing and affordability issues.

As for foreign buyers, a 15-per-cent surcharge is simply not enough, with the dollar trading at a discount. In order to dampen demand and bring the housing prices down to the levels Canadians can afford, a surcharge of 50 per cent or more would be appropriate.

If our badly needed housing correction finally does come to pass, we should prohibit foreign buying altogether, as opposition leaders have been calling for in New Zealand. Otherwise, foreign buyers will just be back to gobble up more Canadian housing after its depreciation.

Dan Barnabic 

The Globe & Mail

Reduced home sale and listing activity are changing market dynamics in communities across Metro Vancouver*.

Residential property sales in the region totalled 2,233 in October 2016, a 38.8 per cent decrease from the 3,646 sales recorded in October 2015 and a 0.9 per cent decrease compared to September 2016 when 2,253 homes sold.

Last month’s sales were 15 per cent below the 10-year October sales average.

“Changing market conditions compounded by a series of government interventions this year have put home buyers and sellers in a holding pattern,” Dan Morrison, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president said. “Potential buyers and sellers are taking a wait-andsee approach to try and better understand what these changes mean for them.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver totalled 3,981 in October 2016. This represents a decrease of 3.5 per cent compared to the 4,126 units listed in October 2015 and a 17 per cent decrease compared to September 2016 when 4,799 properties were listed.

Last month’s new listing count was 9.5 per cent below the region’s 10-year new listing average for the month.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,143, a 4.5 per cent decrease compared to October 2015 (9,569) and a 2.3 per cent decrease compared to September 2016 (9,354).

The sales-to-active listings ratio for October 2016 is 24.4 per cent. Generally, analysts say that downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below the 12 per cent mark for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months.

“While sales are down across the different property types, it’s the detached market that’s seen the largest reduction in home buyer demand in recent months,” Morrison said. “It’s important to work with your local REALTOR® to help you navigate today’s changing trends.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $919,300. This represents a 24.8 per cent increase compared to October 2015 and a 0.8 per cent decline compared to September 2016.

Sales of detached properties in October 2016 reached 652, a decrease of 54.6 per cent from the 1,437 detached sales recorded in October 2015. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,545,800. This represents a 28.9 per cent increase compared to October 2015 and a 1.4 per cent decrease compared to September 2016.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,178 in October 2016, a decrease of 23.7 per cent compared to the 1,543 sales in October 2015.The benchmark price of an apartment property is $512,300. This represents a 20.5 per cent increase compared to October 2015 and a 0.3 per cent increase compared to September 2016.

Attached property sales in October 2016 totalled 403, a decrease of 39.5 per cent compared to the 666 sales in October 2015. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $669,200. This represents a 25.7 per cent increase compared to October 2015 and a 1.1 per cent decrease compared to September 2016.

Maclean’s Magazine has released its annual list of Canadian university rankings, and Simon Fraser University has topped the list for 2016 in the comprehensive category.

The post-secondary institution tops the list for a number of reasons, including the development of UniverCity, a model sustainable community on the Burnaby Mountain campus.

The Arthur Erickson-designed concrete buildings also got a nod from the magazine, despite them having “fallen into disrepair,” as well as the gorgeous views from the top of the mountain.

See also

• 5 must-do SFU campus traditions

Extensive co-op offerings, excellent grants programs, and consistently high rankings internationally cinched the deal for SFU’s top ranking.

“SFU has become internationally recognized for the quality of its educational programs and research, and we’re committed to building on these strengths as we continue to engage the world,” president Andrew Petter told the magazine.

There are some pretty cool course offerings, too: The Science of Brewing breaks down plant biology, chemistry, fermentation technology, and other elements involved in brewing beer.

In a separate best medical and doctoral universities ranking by Maclean’s, the University of British Columbia ranked third in Canada, behind McGill University and the University of Toronto but ahead of Queen’s University.

Top 15 universities in Canada, according to Maclean’s:

1. Simon Fraser University – Burnaby, BC
2. University of Waterloo – Waterloo, Ontario
3. University of Victoria – Victoria, BC
4. University of Guelph – Guelph, Ontario
5. Carleton University – Ottawa, Ontario
6. University of New Brunswick – Fredericton and St. John, New Brunswick
7. Memorial University of Newfoundland – St. John’s, Newfoundland
8. York University – Toronto, Ontario
9. Wilfred Laurier University – Waterloo, Ontario
10. Concordia University – Montreal, Quebec
11. Ryerson University – Toronto, Ontario
12. Université du Québec à Montréal – Montreal, Quebec
13. University of Regina – Regina, Saskatchewan
14. University of Windsor – Windsor, Ontario
15. Brock University – St. Catherines, Ontario

The renewal of the Bank of Canada’s framework for inflation targeting will help Canadian businesses and consumers by providing certainty around their financial plans, Governor Stephen S. Poloz said today.

In a speech to the Business Council of British Columbia, Governor Poloz said the Bank’s inflation-targeting agreement with the federal government, which has been in place for 25 years and which was renewed last week, has helped Canadians spend and invest with more confidence and improved their standard of living.

“Twenty-five is the silver anniversary, but inflation targeting has truly been golden,” Governor Poloz said. “As an approach to monetary policy, inflation targeting has proven its worth repeatedly, both in good economic times as well as turbulent ones.”

Governor Poloz recalled the high and variable inflation of the 1970s and 1980s that led to Canada adopting inflation targets in 1991. That inflation took a tremendous toll on the economy, Poloz said, with the uncertainty making it more difficult for businesses to plan and rising prices eroding the purchasing power of Canadians.

The certainty provided by the policy framework has led to stronger economic performance in many dimensions, the Governor noted. Because the government explicitly agrees with the Bank’s goal of low, stable and predictable inflation, the framework is that much more credible and effective, he said.

In its extensive research leading up to the renewal, the Bank looked at a number of issues, including the potential benefits of a higher inflation target, given the experience of the global financial crisis and its aftermath. It concluded that there would be more costs than benefits to raising the target. In addition, the Bank looked at ways of incorporating financial stability risk into the conduct of monetary policy. It concluded that macroprudential policies are best for addressing financial stability concerns, leaving monetary policy to focus primarily on the inflation target. The inflation-targeting agreement with the government means that all economic policies—including monetary, fiscal and macroprudential—can work together in a complementary fashion, said Governor Poloz.

“The renewal of the inflation-targeting agreement sets us up to extend this track record of success for another five years,” the Governor said. “We will continue to observe and learn, ask questions, and make sure our monetary policy is truly doing its best until the next renewal in 2021.”

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for housing met today to advance the development of a National Housing Strategy for Canada that will build on a strong housing foundation.

Continuing the progress achieved at their June meeting in Victoria, ministers discussed a shared vision for housing in Canada:

Canadians have housing that meets their needs and they can afford. Housing is a cornerstone of sustainable, healthy and inclusive communities and a strong Canadian economy where we can prosper and thrive.

The Ministers discussed their shared long-term aspirations to improve housing affordability and reduce homelessness across Canada. They also discussed more specific outcomes of a National Housing Strategy that would improve housing conditions and affordability for the most vulnerable, including those with distinct needs, Indigenous peoples and those in Canada's three territories. The proposed outcomes would also contribute to economic growth, environmental sustainability, and increased social and economic participation of low income households.

The outcomes of a National Housing Strategy and the details of a federal, provincial, and territorial partnership will be established through a multi-lateral framework to be developed in 2017.

Federal, provincial and territorial housing ministers agreed to work together in a way that recognizes provinces and territories as primary partners in the development and delivery of a National Housing Strategy and recognizes the importance of collaboration in achieving the best possible outcomes.

Consultations with Canadians, including National Indigenous Organizations, municipalities, housing experts and national stakeholders, have yielded significant feedback on a wide range of housing themes.

The results of what was heard will be released on National Housing Day, November 22, 2016. A National Housing Strategy framework will be made public in 2017.