Former Carney adviser, CMHC head named inaugural chair of Build Canada Homes
OTTAWA — Ottawa is appointing a former investment banker and public servant with links to Prime Minister Mark Carney to steer the board of directors at its affordable housing agency.
Canadian Press Aug 10, 2026 2:25 PM Aug 10, 2026
OTTAWA — Ottawa is appointing a former investment banker and public servant with links to Prime Minister Mark Carney to steer the board of directors at its affordable housing agency.
Build Canada Homes’ inaugural board chair Evan Siddall was CEO of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. from late 2013 to 2021, where he helped to develop the Liberals’ national housing strategy.
Siddall was most recently vice-chair at BMO Capital Markets and his experience includes heading up Alberta’s AIMCo pension fund manager and stints at Goldman Sachs and Irving Oil.
The incoming chair also served for a number of years as special adviser to Carney when he was governor of the Bank of Canada.
The Liberals launched Build Canada Homes nearly a year ago but in June the agency became a Crown corporation, which must be governed by an independent board of directors.
A federal release says Siddall will exercise the board’s powers unilaterally until a process to appoint at least eight directors concludes.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 10, 2026.
www.westerninvestor.com/national-business/former-carney-adviser-cmhc-head-named-inaugural-chair-of-build-canada-homes-12649745
Thurs 20
Canada’s housing market to ‘remain subdued’ for rest of year: CMHC
Economic uncertainty weighs on home buying decisions.
By Joel Schlesinger • for the Calgary Herald, Published Aug 13, 2026
Slow population growth, high borrowing costs and economic uncertainty are likely to continue weighing on Canada’s housing market for the remainder of 2026, a new report has forecast. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. released its 2026 Housing Market Outlook Mid-Year Update in late July, noting that several market and economic headwinds will dampen demand for housing across 18 major municipalities for the rest of this year.
It pointed to the Canadian economy’s expected slow growth as consumers, government investment and exports pull back. Uncertainty will further hamper growth. Tariffs and the war in the Middle East are driving uncertainty while clouding the picture for inflation.
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Consequently, CMHC expects mortgage rates to remain steady or even increase slightly over the next two years.
Another factor is reduced immigration. The federal government has reduced quotas for newcomers, already resulting in a population decline. That, too, will weigh on housing demand, which is expected to decline, leading to lower prices for the rest of this year.
CMHC further forecast the market should rebound in 2027, but sales will remain below the decade average until the end of 2028.
The report did note the Prairies region, including Alberta, is likely to see stronger sales and price growth than the rest of Canada.
As well, new home starts are expected to decrease as builders adjust to weaker demand, elevated inventories and higher construction costs.
Starts are expected to fall by year’s end, and decline even more in 2027 and 2028.
Rental construction is also forecast to fall in most major markets, which have seen increases in vacancy. Still, CMHC noted challenges will persist for renters as rents should remain high relative to average income.
www.calgaryherald.com/life/homes/canadas-housing-market-to-remain-subdued-for-rest-of-year-cmhc
