New Housing Price Index rises

OTTAWA — The New Housing Price Index rose 0.2% in September compared with the previous month, according to StatCan. Prices rose in 11 census metropolitan areas, with the indexes from the combined region of Toronto and Oshawa and from Vancouver contributing the most to the monthly increase. Prices were unchanged in 7 of the 21 metropolitan areas surveyed. New housing prices fell 0.2% in Quebec, Calgary and Edmonton. Builders reported lower negotiated selling prices in Quebec. Although some builders in Calgary and Edmonton reported increased construction costs, these were offset by lower negotiated selling prices and new promotional packages introduced to encourage sales.