The Canadian Press

The annual rate of housing starts reached 158,500 in November, up more than 1,000 from October.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp. reports the increase came largely on the strength of a solid increase in singles starts.

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts increased 0.7% to 141,100.

Urban multiple starts decreased slightly to 71,300 units from 72,500 in October.

Single urban starts rose 3.4% to 69,800 units in November.

Rural starts were estimated at an annual rate of 17,400 units in November

The annual rate of urban starts rose 10% in Quebec, 8.2% in the Prairies and 6.2% in British Columbia.

The rate of urban starts fell 8.3% in Ontario and 9.8% in Atlantic Canada.