The trend in housing starts was 226,777 units in December 2017, compared to 226,178 units in November 2017, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This trend measure is a six-month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) of housing starts.
"Despite the variation in activity across the country, the national trend in housing starts held steady at its highest level since 2008," said Bob Dugan, CMHC's chief economist. "Total urban housing starts in 2017 were up 6.2% compared to 2016 due to the rise in apartment construction."