In response to higher demand and a low supply of available homes for sale, builders have stepped up construction.

NPR: US Housing Starts Surpass 1 Million In March

Netanyahu says talks should resume without any preconditions, and he has even allowed stepped-up construction in the territories since the United Nations moved to recognize a de facto state of Palestine in November.

NPR: Obama Downplays Prospects For Mideast Peace

And construction firms have stepped up hiring in recent months.

NPR: US Housing Starts Surpass 1 Million In March

Mr Tremblay and the mayor of Laval have both stepped down amid allegations related to the construction industry.

BBC: Montreal city hall raided by anti-corruption police

The State Council called for the construction of government-subsidised housing to be stepped up.

ECONOMIST: China's housing market