Sections 29 and 47 Come into Force

Summary#

This order brings two parts of the Build Canada Homes Act into force on the day the order was made: August 13, 2026. The change lets the program that was running inside the department move to Crown corporation operations and keeps the current CEO in place during that transition.

What it does#

• Brings section 29 and section 47 of the Build Canada Homes Act into force on August 13, 2026.
• Once section 29 is in force, the Minister of Finance may provide funding to the new Crown corporation directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
• Section 47 keeps the current CEO in place as the organization moves from a Special Operating Agency into a Crown corporation, preserving leadership continuity.
• Leaves section 41 of the Act not in force for now; that section will come into force later when related corporate reorganizations are ready.

Who's affected#

• Build Canada Homes (BCH) and its planned new form, BCH Crown corporation (BCH-Crown) — this is the program being moved from a department to a Crown corporation.
• The current CEO and BCH staff, since the order preserves the CEO’s role during the change.
• Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, which has been running BCH as a Special Operating Agency and will coordinate the transition.
• Canada Lands Company Limited, Canada Lands Company, and Parc Downsview Park Inc., because a later step (bringing in section 41) is being timed to their planned reorganization.
• People or groups that work with or receive services from BCH may notice administrative or funding changes as the organization shifts, though the order itself is about governance and funding authorities rather than specific program changes.

Why it matters#

• It allows BCH to start operating with Crown corporation funding powers, which can change how and where federal money for housing is managed and paid out.
• Keeping the CEO in place reduces the risk of leadership gaps during the handover, which helps maintain ongoing operations and program delivery.
• Deferring section 41 until related corporate changes are ready aims to avoid mismatches in responsibilities or payment rules during the broader reorganization.
• In practical terms, this is an administrative step that supports the move of a federal housing body into a new organizational form — something that can affect how quickly and smoothly housing projects and funding are delivered.