NewCanadian housing starts jump as condo building booms in Toronto
Surprise jump in August's construction data attributed to demand for lower-cost condos, fuelling property boom in slowing economy
Canadian housing starts unexpectedly jumped last month from July as condominium building surged to meet demand for lower-cost options in the country's hottest market, extending a housing boom that is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise tepid economy.
The report from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp showed the seasonally adjusted annualised rate of housing starts rose to 216,924 last month from an upwardly revised 193,253 units in July.
Forecasters had expected 190,000 starts.
Canada's housing market continues to defy expectations for a slowdown, despite broader economic weakness and low oil prices, with strong demand in Toronto offsetting a softer market in oil-dependent Calgary. Historically low borrowing costs have helped extend the boom.
"[This is] the strongest level for housing starts since September 2012, and comes entirely on the back of a jump in new condo starts in Toronto," BMO Capital Markets senior economist Robert Kavcic said in a research note.
Canada's largest market had seen a cooling in condominium building last year amid fears of a looming correction, but home prices and sales have barely paused since 2009 and analysts are divided over whether the boom will end with a crash or a soft landing.