Canadan housing starts down sharply in January

OTTAWA, Feb. 9 (Chinese media) -- Housing starts in Canada fell sharply in January, down 35.8 percent from a year ago, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reported Monday.

A total of 153,500 units were started in the month, down from 172,200 units in December.

Urban starts fell 15.6 percent on an annual basis to 126,700 units, with urban multiple starts down 12.2 percent to 76,700 and single starts down 20.2 percent to 50,000.

Actual starts in urban areas fell 40.4 percent compared to the same month in 2008.

Actual urban single starts for 2009 were 44.2 percent lower than a year earlier while urban multiple starts were down 38.1 percent.

The agency said starts declined across the country, dropping 30.3 percent on the Prairies, which is the biggest decline, followed by 29.1 percent in British Columbia.