The Ontario Home Builders' Association predicts consistent housing starts for 2013. In their February 2013 media release, the OHBA asserts that Ontario, including Toronto, shows a slower housing start season. However, this is no indication of a weaker year for urban Ontario. CMHC calls for 65,000 housing starts for Ontario, setting the province up for another healthy housing market year. 

A suburban housing development overlooking Mississauga's growing City Centre, image courtesy of UT Member Jasonzed

Below outlines housing start data for the urban Ontario market, revealing a declining trend in the last four years. That said, Toronto's commuter cities — Hamilton, Oshawa, and Barrie — have all enjoyed healthy increases in housing starts this year. 

Ontario Housing Starts, courtesy of OHBA

Do these statistics represent a shift in housing trends, as Toronto professionals opt for condo living instead? Or are they indicative of an overall slowing in the buyer's market?