Authorities launch accelerated construction program in Atlantic Canada

At a meeting in Halifax, Minister Sean Fraser and line ministers from the Atlantic provinces discussed plans to create a program to accelerate home building in the region. The program will be part of the Atlantic Innovation Initiative.

Officials from both levels of government noted that there has already been some progress in this area and emphasized the need for continued cooperation to address housing affordability issues. They considered the option of encouraging construction using innovative materials and methods, including modular construction and the use of solid wood.

Ministers also discussed the possibility of working with the federal government to incorporate the Atlantic Provinces' regional features into a federal catalog of housing designs, which could make the region a leader in modular construction.

Problems of the region

Housing market conditions in the Atlantic Provinces have changed dramatically over the past five years. Rapid population growth (both in large cities and rural areas), as well as the impact of high interest rates, inflation, and labor shortages, have led to a shortage of affordable housing in the region.

Officials concluded that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the problem. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the unique characteristics of the region and provide targeted funding for the development of local housing solutions.

Atlantic Provinces and the federal government aim to strengthen regional collaboration and are working together to develop innovative building practices, increase productivity and ensure the sustainability and affordability of housing in the region.