Order Fixing the Day on Which this Order Is Made as the Day on Which Sections 29 and 47 of the Build Canada Homes Act Come into Force: SI/2026-44
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 160, Number 17
Registration
SI/2026-44 August 26, 2026
BUILD CANADA HOMES ACT
Order Fixing the Day on Which this Order Is Made as the Day on Which Sections 29 and 47 of the Build Canada Homes Act Come into Force
P.C. 2026-758 August 13, 2026
Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, under section 51 of the Build Canada Homes Act, chapter 18 of the Statutes of Canada, 2026, fixes the day on which this order is made as the day on which sections 29 and 47 of that Act come into force.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order.)
Proposal
This Order in Council, made under section 51 of the Build Canada Homes Act (the Act), fixes the day on which it is made as the day on which sections 29 and 47 of the Act come into force.
Objective
The objective of this Order is to bring into force the remaining provisions of the Act, except section 41, that are required to support the transition of Build Canada Homes (BCH) to BCH Crown corporation (BCH-Crown) operations.
Background
BCH was initially launched in September 2025 as a Special Operating Agency (SOA) within Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada to begin advancing its housing mandate, while legislation was developed to establish BCH as a standalone Crown corporation.
The Act, which received royal assent on June 18, 2026, provides for BCH’s establishment as a Crown corporation and authorizes the Governor in Council to establish different dates for the coming into force of various provisions of the Act. Most provisions of the Act were brought into force through an earlier order on July 7, 2026 (the July 7th Order). Sections 29, 41 and 47, however, were deferred to support an orderly transition to full Crown corporation operations.
Since the July 7th Order, BCH has continued to put in place the arrangements needed to support the start of its operations as a Crown corporation, including arrangements related to financial administration, staffing continuity, corporate services and accountability. Sections 29 and 47 of the Act are now ready to come into force.
Implications
This Order advances the coming into force of the Act by bringing sections 29 and 47 into force. This will allow BCH-Crown to begin operating as a Crown corporation, including through funding and payment authorities, and transfer the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from the SOA to the BCH-Crown.
Once section 29 is in force, the Minister of Finance may provide funding to BCH-Crown directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Section 47 will ensure continuity in the CEO role following BCH’s transition from a SOA to a Crown corporation. The appointment of the CEO of BCH-Crown will continue for the remainder of the term established for the CEO of the SOA.
Implementation arrangements will support continuity of operations and clarify roles, responsibilities, decision-making and reimbursement processes between Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada and BCH-Crown, as well as between Canada Lands Company Limited and BCH-Crown. These arrangements are intended to be temporary and to remain in place only as long as required to support BCH’s move to full Crown corporation operations, expected by the end of fiscal year 2026–2027.
Section 41, which is not being brought into force at this time, will support payment authorities for designated entities carrying out activities related to BCH. The coming into force of section 41 will be aligned with the planned reorganization of Canada Lands Company Limited, Canada Lands Company, and Parc Downsview Park Inc. This sequencing will support an orderly transition and ensure that section 41 takes effect when the related corporate arrangements are in place.
Consultation
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada has not directly consulted on the coming into force of the remaining provisions of the Act. However, as part of Parliament’s study of the Act, 20 witnesses testified before committees of the House of Commons and the Senate, and 44 written briefs on the legislation were submitted to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities from Indigenous partners, academics, non-profit organizations, industry and citizens. Key themes of their feedback included defining affordability, setting targets and establishing transparent reporting mechanisms, prioritizing high-needs populations, and using distinctions-based, Indigenous-led housing approaches.
The Act provides BCH with flexibility to adapt its implementation over time in response to evolving housing needs, market conditions, and stakeholder perspectives. The Minister of Infrastructure and Communities must, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, conduct a review of the Act’s provisions and operation five years after the Act comes into force and every ten years thereafter. Within one year of each review, the Minister must table a report in both Houses of Parliament, and the report must then be reviewed by a designated Senate, House of Commons or joint parliamentary committee.
Contact
Marco Presutti
Portfolio Management, Investment and Partnerships Sector
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
Telephone: 613‑808‑8878
Email: marco.presutti@infc.gc.ca