The economy is improving -- however slightly -- on one front.
Statistics Canada announced this morning its new housing price index rose 0.1% in August, following a 0.2% increase in July.
The agency says Calgary was the top contributor to the national increase in August, with prices rising 0.6% because of market conditions, increased material and labour costs and a shortage of developed land.
It says the largest monthly price advance in August came in Windsor, Ont., where prices rose 1.0% due to increases in material, labour and land development costs.
New housing prices rose 0.3% in both Montreal and Saskatoon.
Negotiated selling prices contributed to lower prices in Vancouver, Halifax, Ottawa–Gatineau and Victoria.
Prices were unchanged in nine of the 21 metropolitan areas surveyed.
