As changes to Residential Tenancies Act draw near, Yukoners react

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Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-30 17:51:39.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Affordability, Governance]

Yukon Party MLAs voted to pass statutory amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, effectively eliminating territorial rent caps and reintroducing no-cause evictions effective December 1. The legislative changes, spearheaded by Community Services Minister Cory Bellmore and supported by Premier Currie Dixon, aim to transition the territory to a market-based rental system and encourage housing investment. The Yukon Residential Landlord Association estimated that landlords have withdrawn more than 200 rental units from the market since rent controls were implemented in 2021, while opposition parties and housing advocates criticized the measures for lacking supporting data and negatively impacting tenant housing security.

Elders' home, transitional housing among Nunavik priorities for new federal funds

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Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-30 16:34:17.0
Tags: [National, Quebec, Housing, Indigenous, Healthcare, Seniors]

The Government of Canada announced $130 million in funding for Inuit treaty organizations, with more than $32 million allocated to Makivvik to support regional priorities in Nunavik. Makivvik plans to put the funds toward a new elders' home in Kuujjuaq, Quebec, and transitional housing in Montreal, following the relocation of 13 elders due to structural issues at a previous facility. Additional allocations from the $130 million package include $16.9 million for the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, $15.5 million for the Nunatsiavut government, and $65 million for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated under the federal Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Fund.

Seismic shifts in Roseburn

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Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-30 16:18:13.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Infrastructure]

Strata Developments has launched the new 10-year residential community of Roseburn in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, spanning 1,250 total homes across 250 initially serviced lots. The community features a major recreational attraction called Volcano Park, designed by Play Envy, and incorporates innovative steel-framed housing construction provided by builder Cantiro Homes to enhance structural resilience against extreme weather. Additional builders involved in the project include Akash Homes, Bedrock Homes, and Super Homes, with a formal grand opening scheduled for spring 2027.

Dormant site of cancelled Downtown high-rise listed at $4 million

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Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-30 11:07:29.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Taxation]

The dormant $34-million high-rise development site at 121 Street and 102 Avenue in Edmonton, originally planned by Open Sky Developments as a 22-storey apartment complex with 185 units, has been listed for sale at $4 million by JLL after being abandoned by its former contractor. Ward O-day-min Councillor Anne Stevenson noted that the property narrowly avoided Edmonton's derelict commercial property tax subclass due to legal definitions regarding land improvements, prompting municipal officials to petition the provincial government to amend legislation to allow higher tax rates for abandoned commercial parcels.

Five more public housing units open in Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T.

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 23:15:30.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Indigenous, Social Services, Infrastructure]

Housing N.W.T. has completed and turned over keys for five new public housing units in Behchokǫ̀, consisting of a four-unit building and a three-bedroom single-family home. The modular units were built in Hay River, shipped to Behchokǫ̀ for assembly in April, and are designed to replace older public housing units that have reached the end of their usable life. This deployment follows a territorial needs assessment released in March by Housing N.W.T. indicating that over half of households in Behchokǫ̀ face housing challenges, alongside the recent arrival of eight additional public housing units and one more duplex expected by the end of the year.

Some mature neighbourhoods could see 100-unit infills under provincial decree, warns city

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-29 22:28:30.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Governance]

The City of Edmonton warned that a provincial infill directive could inadvertently force mature and residential small-scale neighbourhoods to revert to older zoning bylaws, potentially allowing developments of up to 100 units or 16-plexes without height or unit caps. City administration stated that complying with the 90-day timeline mandated by the province's order in council would require cutting public engagement short and pulling staff away from four-year budget deliberations. In response, Edmonton City Council voted 12-1 to present the Minister of Municipal Affairs with two options, including a hybrid approach and the strict letter-of-the-law directive, while requesting written clarification on the province's intent.

6 provinces and territories exploring adoption of new CO detector rules, Sask. minister says

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 22:04:08.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, National, Public Safety, Housing, Governance]

Effective November 1, 2026, Saskatchewan is enacting regulatory updates known as Henry's Law, which requires carbon monoxide alarms in all residential suites across multi-unit buildings, regardless of their location within the structure. Named in memory of 11-year-old Henry Losco, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning following a boiler leak in a Regina apartment building in December 2025, the legislation applies to both existing and new residential buildings. Saskatchewan's Minister of Government Relations Eric Schmalz announced that six other provincial and territorial jurisdictions—Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories—are actively exploring the adoption of similar carbon monoxide safety rules.

Enhanced Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements Take Effect November 1

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-29 21:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Housing, Public Safety]

Effective November 1, 2026, the Government of Saskatchewan is implementing Henry's Law, which expands provincial safety regulations to mandate carbon monoxide alarms in all residential suites across every multi-unit residential building regardless of proximity to fuel-burning appliances. Introduced under Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz, the legislation builds upon Saskatchewan's 2022 carbon monoxide standards following the December 2025 death of 11-year-old Henry Losco. Property owners, landlords, and the accommodation industry—represented by Hospitality Saskatchewan—must ensure full compliance with the updated rules to prevent undetected carbon monoxide exposure.

Fredericton’s emergency shelter space shrinks ahead of winter

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-29 20:00:33.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Municipal, Housing, Social Services, Emergency]

Fredericton City Council approved a smaller emergency out-of-the-cold shelter providing 10 overnight beds at the Small Craft Aquatic Centre, operating from mid-December to the end of April, as the previous 33-bed facility run by Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc. at the exhibition grounds faces demolition for redevelopment. According to September data from the Human Development Council, 353 people are experiencing homelessness in Fredericton, including 179 who are chronically homeless. Additionally, council approved a new courtyard lot for the tiny home community 12 Neighbours, adding 15 new units to help bridge emergency services and permanent supportive housing.

Dawson City, Yukon, leaders urge territory to retract no-cause eviction bill

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 19:12:01.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Affordability, Governance]

The Yukon Legislative Assembly passed Bill 8, enacting amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act that reintroduce no-cause evictions and scrap rent control. In response, Dawson City Mayor Stephen Johnson, the Dawson City Council, and former territorial NDP candidate Francis van Kessel sent letters urging Premier Currie Dixon and Minister of Community Services Cory Bellmore to retract the legislation due to severe rental scarcity and potential strains on community social services.

Proposed new residential development in Whitehorse clears another hurdle

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 18:46:19.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Infrastructure, Municipal]

The Whitehorse city council unanimously passed a master plan for the proposed Highland Estates residential development by Lobird Living Corp., clearing a key hurdle to add 16 country-residential lots near the Lobird mobile home park. The project addresses a severe local housing shortage highlighted by the city's 2026 assessment noting a deficit of 2,800 housing units. Individual lots are estimated to cost about $400,000, with total home construction costs projected to exceed $800,000. Further progress requires additional municipal processes, including zoning bylaw amendments and lot subdivision.

Anxiety grows as Yukon Health Minister moves to crack down on tents outside shelter

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 17:02:35.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Social Services, Public Safety]

Yukon Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers has announced steps to crack down on tents set up outside the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter, citing concerns over illicit drug dealing. The territory is coordinating actions with shelter management, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Fire Marshal’s Office, and bylaw services. The crackdown unfolds amid soaring living costs in Whitehorse, where the latest inflation rate stands at 6.1 per cent and the living wage has risen to $32.43 per hour for a single-person household, while the shelter operates at 64 per cent capacity.

Réaction QS - Vente illégale d'un OBNL d'habitation à Repentigny : Québec solidaire salue l'initiative de Québec

Source: Quebec - Fil de presse gouvernemental
Date: 2026-10-29 12:15:00.0
Tags: [Quebec, Housing, Seniors]

Quebec solidaire housing critic Andrés Fontecilla expressed support for the Quebec government's intervention to cancel the illegal sale of a non-profit housing organization for seniors in Repentigny. The initiative aims to protect affordable housing assets for seniors from unauthorized commercial transactions. The party continues to press for stronger provincial oversight to prevent speculative sales of social and non-profit housing infrastructure.

Yukon gov't passes amendments to Residential Tenancies Act, scrapping rent control

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-28 21:04:27.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Affordability, Governance]

The Yukon government passed legislative amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, effectively scrapping the territorial residential rent cap and permitting no-cause evictions. Backed by Yukon Party MLAs and spearheaded by Community Services Minister Cory Bellmore, the changes are scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2026. While the territorial government asserts that removing rent control will incentivize private-sector rental housing investment and increase long-term supply, housing advocates and opposition politicians have criticized the policy for exacerbating cost-of-living pressures for tenants.

'Rebuilding trust': Mayor Knack meets with premier and cabinet ministers

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-27 21:11:54.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Governance, Social Services]

Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack met with Premier Danielle Smith, Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams, and Finance Minister Jason Nixon to discuss municipal priorities and rebuild trust following the provincial government's decision to overrule the City of Edmonton's zoning bylaw regarding multi-family residential infill. Alongside discussions on housing, Mayor Knack and Edmonton City Council advanced advocacy efforts for greater municipal political autonomy and increased partnership powers under the Canadian Constitution. The meetings also addressed broader municipal priorities including day spaces for the homeless population and measures to improve urban safety and affordability.

Council pushes for new city autonomy, but dissenters warn city will damage its relationship with the province

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-27 20:54:45.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Governance, Housing, Transportation]

By a 9-3 vote, the Edmonton City Council passed a motion introduced by Councillor Aaron Paquette to lobby the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Big City Mayors, and Alberta Municipalities for expanded municipal autonomy and greater local powers. The push comes in response to provincial interventions by the Government of Alberta under the City Charter, including mandates to overhaul zoning bylaws for infill housing and potential alterations to municipal bike-lane and photo radar strategies. Dissenting councillors, including Thu Parmar, warned that the advocacy would damage intergovernmental relations with the province and conflict with public opinion, citing a Leger poll indicating that 54 per cent of Edmontonians were indifferent to the infill dispute.

Yukon minister directing ‘crackdown’ of tents outside Whitehorse shelter, but won’t say how

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-27 15:44:59.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Social Services, Public Safety, Governance]

Yukon Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers stated in the Yukon Legislative Assembly that he has directed his department to crack down on tents outside the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter at 405 Alexander St. The minister stated he instructed his department to collaborate with the Department of Justice, the Department of Highways and Public Works, the RCMP, and the City of Whitehorse bylaw services to remove the encampments. Liberal Party Leader and Vuntut Gwitchin MLA Debra-Leigh Reti criticized the lack of operational clarity regarding the plan and called for a dedicated task force to assess the needs of individuals outside the shelter. The announcement coincides with ongoing legislative debate surrounding proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act and the elimination of rent control in the Yukon.

West Jasper Place upzoning stirs debate around infill marching orders from province

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-26 22:20:51.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Infrastructure, Governance]

The Edmonton City Council voted 9-4 to approve a medium-scale upzoning application by developer Kunj Investment at 9941 150 Street NW, permitting a four-storey development with a 16-metre height limit. The approval comes amid friction with provincial oversight, as Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams ordered the city to revert its residential small-scale zoning bylaw back to previous 2023 standards while giving the municipality 18 months to draft a compliant replacement. While city planners and housing advocates argued that increased density near transit nodes like the future LRT station is necessary, local opponents criticized the council for approving infill projects immediately prior to addressing the provincial zoning orders.

P.E.I. got cash to crack down on short-term rentals — but did it help boost the housing supply?

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-24 09:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Housing, Affordability, Tourism, Governance]

Tourism P.E.I. utilized federal funding from the Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund to establish an inspection unit targeting unlicenced short-term rentals across Prince Edward Island. During its first year of operations, the enforcement unit identified 242 illegal short-term rental operations, which represented 10 per cent of the province's licensed tourism accommodations. Of those identified operations, the provincial government reported that 164 have subsequently ceased operating or transitioned into long-term housing options. However, housing advocates and municipal officials note that determining whether these regulatory enforcement efforts have measurably boosted the available year-round housing supply remains inconclusive.

Investors in limbo as Edmonton mayor cautions premier's infill edict will cost jobs

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-23 20:31:11.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Economy, Governance]

Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Don Williams issued an order in council requiring the cities of Edmonton and Calgary to roll back their zoning and land-use bylaws. Under the provincial directive, Edmonton has three months from Oct. 22 to revert its zoning to residential small scale matching pre-2024 standards and 18 months to draft a new zoning bylaw meeting ministerial expectations, while Calgary must reinstate its low-density residential districts within three months and write a new land-use bylaw by Sept. 1. Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack cautioned that the sudden directive will harm affordability, stall active developments, and impact construction sector jobs. Industry representatives, such as Synergy Capital group manager Akith Dissanayake, noted that numerous clients who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the city permitting process now face severe uncertainty and sunk costs.