Making spaces Pg. 12
Renovation impacts Pg. 18
CANADIAN
High value projects Pg. 22
MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR RENOVATORS AND CUSTOM HOMEBUILDERS
ALL FIGURED OUT Lakeside Contracting’s Mitch Joiner has got things just about the way he wants them.
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SPONSORED CONTENT
BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH IN P.E.I.
Tradespeople, apprentices and community partners are transforming a long-dormant BGC Charlottetown building into a dedicated space for teens.
C
ontractors often see the immediate results of their work: a safer entrance, a more functional floor plan, an upgraded kitchen or improved accessibility. What they don’t always get to see is the long-term impact those changes can have on the people who use a space every day. That’s part of the story behind the transformation of a long-unused BGC Charlottetown building in Montague, P.E.I., into a dedicated youth centre for local teens. What began as a plan to refresh an aging building has evolved into a larger vision for a welcoming, accessible hub where young people can gather, access supports and build a sense of belonging. With the renovation in progress, Sally Petrie, Interim Executive Director at BGC Charlottetown, shares how thoughtful design is already opening new possibilities for local youth. How has the project’s scope evolved since the original vision, and what opportunities will the renovated space create for local youth? When the renovation began, the focus was to update the current building to give it a brighter feel and ensure it was safe for use. LePage, the adhesives and sealants brand for construction pros and DIYers, is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026 and has provided significant support for this project. Their support, combined with additional government grant funding, allows for an expanded project scope to include an open-plan main floor, a designated reception area and a larger, more functional bathroom to better meet the needs of the youth using the space. One of the most impactful changes has been moving the front entrance to the side of the building, creating a stronger flow through the main floor. Those expansions will give us the chance to offer a wider range of daily programming in a space that’s warmer and more inviting than we first imagined.
while also carving out room for more programming and even small, quiet areas for individual downtime. We also wanted a full kitchen – not just to bring a feeling of home to the space, but to support lunch and dinner programs and cooking sessions. Above all, the renovation must make teens feel like the space is truly theirs, somewhere they can feel proud of and grow into, embracing their full potential within the freshly painted walls.
A new entry at the BGC Charlottetown youth centre in Montague, P.E.I., will improve accessibility for the youth accessing the space. Photo courtesy of BGC Charlottetown.
What does revitalizing this building mean for local youth and the wider community? In a small town with limited infrastructure, building on what already exists is essential to community growth. Revitalizing this space gives local teens somewhere to gather outside of home and school, with access to academic and mental health supports, arts activities, sports programs and a place to relax. The community has been excited to see a long-needed teen space take shape, and that momentum is spreading as people recognize its potential to support youth, strengthen partnerships and encourage young people to give back in turn. We often think of construction and renovation projects in terms of budgets, timelines and materials. What other priorities and values are important to this project? Psychological and physical safety were priorities from day one. Renovating with youth in mind meant focusing on bathroom and building accessibility so everyone can enjoy the space,
What does it say about a community when local businesses, tradespeople, contractors and manufacturers invest in projects like this? Investing in this project shows just how much the community cares about its future and its youth. That involvement helps us create an intentional space where young people feel a genuine sense of belonging, and creates a ripple effect of giving back. LePage is helping to cover the cost of labour, material and planning, and donating products that support critical renovations to the facility, and BGC Charlottetown is exploring ways to recognize LePage’s significant contribution to the project. Their support is helping create a safe, welcoming drop-in space built specifically for local teens, a demographic that, until now, has not had a dedicated space built specifically for them.
Read more details on the renovation project here. Created by Amplify Content Studio in partnership with LePage and Canadian Contractor.
CONTENTS
Fall 2026 issue Volume 27, Number 2
features The economic and social power of home renovations 18 The renovation sector gets some respect, with receipts, from the Missing Middle Initiative.
Small project, big value 22 Here are five things you can do to jack up a client’s home value without breaking the bank.
making spaces 8
All figured out
It’s a laid-back life in Ontario’s cottage country for Mitch Joiner, owner of Lakeside Contracting and Property.
Mountainview Chalet 12 Weninger’s custom build at Big White in Kelowna, B.C., delivers luxury from local sources.
Maple Ridge Fun Zone 14 Alair Maple Ridge adds an all-in recreational space to a home in Vancouver.
Staircase Sizzle 16 David McArthur transforms his entryway with a slick accent wall and waterfall flooring.
columns Interior Monologue 21 Your first call should be to an interior designer. by Linda Price-Bennett
Ontarian View 26 Moves to boost building are bearing fruit. Now we need to sustain the effort. by Richard Lyall
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Making Spaces Our annual Making Spaces feature puts the spotlight on great interior finishes from Kelowna to Creemore. canadiancontractor.ca Fall 2026
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EDITORIAL
NO ANGELS, NO DEMONS
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By Patrick Flannery
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Editor
It’s hard to feel self-righteous toward those who are angry about the counter-tariffs.
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he ongoing trade war between us and the United States has put us all in an uncomfortable position, politically. I think this was illustrated best in a press release I read recently from a Canadian construction association pointing out the many negative impacts to our sector of the counter-tariffs announced by Ottawa. Despite a long list of ways the measures were going to hurt their members financially, the organization felt compelled to add the caveat that nothing in the analysis should be read as criticism of the Mark Carney government or its decision to walk away from negotiations with the U.S. and impose the counter-tariffs. A remarkable day for sure: a government does something that straight-up causes costs to rise for Canadian contractors, but doesn’t receive a howl of protest from their representative organizations. Yet I, and I imagine many of you, understand and agree with the association’s position. If polling is any indication, most other Canadians do, too. Most of us have viewed the tearing-up of NAFTA under the flimsiest of pretenses as a betrayal that only makes sense in the context of a hostile act against this country. Negotiating with someone who doesn’t observe their commitments is pointless and appeasing bullies only ensures further bullying. A lot of Canadians feel it is our patriotic duty to accept some degree of economic pain in order to assert our sovereignty and preserve any hope of good-faith dealing with a future American administration. But these are awfully high-falutin’ ideals in a circumstance where rising prices and depressed building activity threaten our livelihoods and the livelihoods of those who work for us. That’s why it’s hard to feel self-righteous toward those who are angry about the countertariffs and agree with Pierre Poilievre that there should have been some new deal by now. Personally, I feel there is likely no deal to be had that would not involve us ending up in a worse position than we are now, but that’s my analysis and I certainly could be wrong. What is your responsibility as a business owner? Some would say your job is to go out there, maximize profits however you can within the law and let the eggheads in Ottawa wrangle with weighty questions of national destiny. Your efforts, and the benefits they bring to all, do more for the country than all the patriotic posturing in the world. For that reason, the industry should give it to Ottawa with both barrels when it does things to raise our costs and not worry about some larger picture. That’s Ottawa’s problem, not yours. I have sympathy for this view and don’t think there’s any problem with Ottawa hearing loud and clear about the consequences of its decisions. But I do think we are up against a very great threat to our economy unlike anything we’ve faced in living memory. Unprecedented threats demand unprecedented responses – like industry associations backing away from criticism of cost-increasing policies. It is strange times we live in, and strange decisions we have to make.
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THE HAMMER
Recent episodes: • How Ontario’s homebuilder licenser attacks shady contracting practices; • Simpler walls could be more energy-efficient walls; • Get more from your rental store; • Turn the company data you already have into profits. Find The Hammer at canadiancontractor.ca, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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COVER STORY
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Volume 27, Number 2 Fall 2026 canadiancontractor.ca | Tel: 416 442 5600 1111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400, Toronto ON M2H 3R1 Canadian Contractor, established in 2000, is published three times a year by Annex Business Media. PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT #40065710 ISSN 1498-8941 (Print) ISSN 1929-6495 (Online)
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canadiancontractor.ca Fall 2026
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Drywall manufacturer opens Alberta plant CGC, a gypsum building materials manufacturer, opened a new wallboard manufacturing plant in Wheatland County, Alta., on June 10. The $210 million facility expands CGC’s Canadian manufacturing capacity, strengthens supply for customers across western Canada and has created nearly 100 full-time jobs in the region. The project is also supporting approximately 80 additional jobs in the region tied to plant operations and related economic activity. Located on 214 acres in Wheatland County, the new plant will manufacture Sheetrock brand wallboard. The facility is one of the most technologically advanced and sustainable plants in the global USG network and is designed to strengthen supply reliability in western Canada. “We are proud to officially open our doors in WheatlandCounty and deepen our long-term commitment to western Canada,” said Steve Youngblut, president of CGC. “This modern, sustainable manufacturing hub will help ensure builders have access to the materials they need to build the homes and infrastructure Canada depends on, while supporting long-term jobs and economic growth in the region.” “As one of the most significant wallboard manufacturing investments in our company’s history, Wheatland represents a major milestone for our business and a significant commitment to the future of manufacturing and construction in North America,” said
Chris Macey, president and CEO of USG Corporation. “The new facility strengthens our manufacturing network, adds critical capacity in western markets and improves our ability to deliver the quality, reliability and performance our customers expect.” Completion of the Wheatland plant follows a formal groundbreaking in 2024 and marks a significant major step in CGC’s efforts to modernize its manufacturing network and expand domestic production capacity. Together with the revitalization of the Little Narrows gypsum quarry in Nova Scotia, CGC is investing nearly $325
million to strengthen the Canadian and North America building materials supply chain. The Wheatland plant supports CGC‘s sustainability goals through superior operational efficiency, including a 20 percent reduction in carbon emissions, a 25 percent reduction in water usage, zero manufacturing waste to landfill and on-site solar generation that helps reduce the facility’s environmental footprint. By producing wallboard closer to customers in western Canada, the facility also helps reduce transportation distances and associated emissions while improving supply reliability.
Ontario to conduct thorough building code review The Ontario government has created the Building Code Short Term Advisory Body charged with conducting a comprehensive review of the Ontario building code with a mandate to identify “unnecessary complexity, delays and costs that can hinder construction, ” according to the commitee’s consultation paper. The committee members are: • Leo Grellette, chair – former chief building official for the city of Vaughan; • Paul De Berardis, vice – president of Building Standards and Engineering at RESCON; 6 Fall 2026
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• Michael Seiling – chief building official for the city of Kitchener; • Stephen Wong – chair of the Building Code Commission; • Douglas Tarry – a homebuilder from St. Thomas, Ont. The consultation paper promises a section-by-section review of the code to remove duplication, conflicts and unnecessary regulation with the goal of streamlining building approvals. The committee has a one-year term and completed a public consultation process in August.
Canadian counter-tariffs evaluated for impact The Residential Construction Council of Ontario has released a report on the likely impact of Canadian counter-tariffs on the construction sector. The following is from a summary released to members. The full report is available at rescon.com. Canada’s dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs entered into force on Sept. 8, applying 15-, 25- or 50-percent surtaxes to 629 U.S.origin tariff items covering $27.6 billion of imports, according to Finance Canada. For Ontario builders, the practical effect is a decisive step-change in the delivered cost of residential inputs sourced from the United States – particularly primary steel, aluminum, plywood, gypsum board, appliances, HVAC and elevator/electrical components. Critically, Finance Canada has confirmed the new tariffs are not intended to stack on the existing 25-percent countersurtax on U.S. steel and aluminum – that rate has instead been raised to match the U.S. Section 338 rate at 50 percent. This removes the worst-case downside we were modelling before the surtax order was published, but it locks in a materially higher steady-state cost stack that Canadian producers will price against. RESCON’s updated central estimate: the Sept. 8 measures add $9,000 to $14,000 to the cost of a typical Ontario singledetached home and $18,000 to $28,000 to a mid-rise unit above pre-Sept. 8 exposure, phased over 2026 Q4 through 2027 Q2 as inventory turns and re-priced supply contracts flow through. That is in addition to the $15,000 to $25,000 pre-Sept. 8 tariff load Ontario homes were already carrying from the March 2025 measures. With the 25 or 50 percent step-up on U.S.-origin primary steel and aluminum, Canadian mills gain effective 40 to 50 percent pricing headroom. Expect domestic list prices to rise eight to 12 percent over the next two quarters even where no U.S. product is being purchased – the classic importcompetition price umbrella. Watch spot rebar and coil quotes: they typically lead by 30 to 45 days.
Greener Homes is back... sort of Ottawa has rebranded and relaunched the Greener Homes energy retrofit incentive program that expired in 2024. Now called the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, it delivers support for residential energy efficiency retrofits in Quebec, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and builds on the existing partnership with Manitoba. Over $500 million in funding, $300 million of which is federal, will be directed to help over 35,000 low- and median-income households install heat pumps, better insulation, improved air sealing and other upgrades at no cost. The program will be delivered in co-ordination with all four provinces, as well as with Hydro-Quebec, BC Hydro, Fortis BC and
With U.S. tariffs stacking on Canadian softwood exports (about 24 percent combined burden), Canadian mills will divert supply domestically. Framing lumber prices for Canadian jobs may soften five to 10 percent in Q4 2026 – a partial hedge against the appliance and finishing tariff hits. This is the closest thing to good news in the current environment. Appliance and fixture re-pricing hits hardest in singledetached. Builder-programme kitchen packages (fridge, range, dishwasher and laundry) are heavily U.S.-sourced. Members should expect 15 to 25 percent list-price increases from Whirlpool, GE and Frigidaire product lines by November 2026 as inventory turns. Asian and EU brand substitution takes four to six months and comes with delivery-time risk. Last year’s 25 percent global safeguard on U.S.-origin wood cabinets and vanities remains in force and is unchanged by the Sept. 8 measures. The Sept. 8 order does not appear to cover HS 9403.40 finished cabinets directly, but plywood at 50 percent flows through to cabinet manufacturing costs. AMO/Oxford Economics’ pre-escalation modelling put the Ontario hit at close to $2.6 billion off GDP and 14,000 construction jobs in 2026. That estimate did not price in the Sept. 8 escalation. RESCON is refining a new provincial model; a preliminary read suggests full-year 2027 Ontario starts could run 8,000 to 12,000 units below the current CMHC baseline if no residential remission is granted. New APS templates and trade contracts signed after Sept. 8 should include tariff-specific escalation clauses. Fixed-price contracts signed pre-Aug. 22 without such clauses carry the largest single-point exposure; members with active exposure should begin documenting audited HS-code cost increases now for change-order support. Finance Canada announced a $7.5-billion support package covering regional loans, EI flexibility, BDC liquidity and a Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility. None of these are a targeted residential-construction remission order.
EfficiencyOne. Rules vary across provinces but, in general, the revived program covers much fewer upgrades than the previous Greener Homes program and is means-tested. However, the assistance comes as an up-front grant rather than an interest-free loan or reimbursement of costs. “Energy bills are too high and too volatile for many Canadians,” said Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, when making the announcement. “That is why we are investing in what we control and helping families retrofit their homes at no up-front cost.” The announcement also indicated the government intends to transfer the administration of energy efficiency programs from Natural Resources Canada to Environment and Climate Change Canada to “ensure alignment of current priorities with ministerial mandates.” canadiancontractor.ca Fall 2026
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COVER STORY
Insulated concrete form construction is Lakeside’s specialty. It makes foundations easier to execute in rocky terrain.
ALL FIGURED OUT
Lakeside Contracting’s Mitch Joiner has got things just about the way he wants them. By Patrick Flannery
I
n the mixed martial arts ring, a fighter’s job is to impose his will on the other guy. Former MMA fighter and current gym owner and manager, Mitch Joiner, has taken those skills to the world of custom homebuilding, taming a market that pushes a lot of people around and building a business that supports a life where he can do what he wants, the way he wants to. Joiner, 33, runs Lakeside Contracting and Property with his wife, Kirsten, out of his home near Parry Sound, Ont., in central 8 Fall 2026
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Ontario cottage country. Yes, he’s on a lake. His sprawling property includes a couple of outbuildings with his tools and machinery and a large, tiered concrete patio and firepit stepping down to the water. Meetings are at his bar in his garage where smoking is allowed and a large rack of deer antlers hang on the wall. It’s a relaxed scene and Joiner is a relaxed guy who has nevertheless built a thriving custom homebuilding business serving the Muskokas all the way over to Georgian Bay.
Joiner spends his days dropping into his projects and troubleshooting with site supervisors. He’s got a trusted core crew supplemented with temporary workers, many of whom are fighters from his MMA gym.
Origin story After growing up near Kitchener, Joiner moved to the Parry Sound area when he was 19. He was into mixed martial arts fighting and travelling around to compete in tournaments all over the continent and internationally – a second vocation he continues to this day. His connections in that world landed him a high school job with a company called Roundhouse Renovations where he learned carpentry. That led to a diploma from Conestoga College, followed by a marketing and business administration degree from Lakehead. Thus educated and knowing enough about the business to get started, he launched Lakeside at the tender age of 22. “I was working for a great guy down in MacTier and got to be on the tools as well as make good money and work
with his family,” Joiner remembers. “I thought it looked like a pretty good gig. I like working outside in this area. It’s beautiful. Go for a swim at lunch.” To get the full picture of what Joiner’s work day looks like now, picture him riding from jobsite to jobsite in his truck with his golden retriever, Bear, along for the ride. “He’s kind of like my site inspector,” Joiner jokes. Joiner got going by buying, renovating and flipping properties. He and Kirsten would buy a property on the water, sever the lot into multiple properties, build attractive homes on each and sell them for many multiples of what they paid for the land. The only difficulty was they would sometimes have to live in trailers or with family while the houses were under construction. Then they’d live in the
houses they built until they sold. That could get tough because the houses were often very nice on beautiful lots. Parry Sound and the Muskokas are Toronto’s traditional cottage country where the wealthiest people in the big city fight for a spot on a lake. Money is barely an object and the market is pretty much recession-proof. So the buy-renovate-and-flip strategy is less risky than it might be in other places. As a side benefit, because he is usually not working on a client’s principle residence, the client is rarely around when he’s working on the project. Fewer questions, fewer hassles, less interference.
Building in the bush The weather can be daunting in Lakeside’s region, with lots of wind and canadiancontractor.ca Fall 2026
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COVER STORY
Bear the dog helps Joiner inspect the site of a large “barndominium” custom build Joiner is executing for a local boutique designer. He gets to choose the projects he finds interesting now, rather than having to take whatever comes through the door.
The barndominium puts all the living space on one floor with high cathedral ceilings throughout. 10 Fall 2026
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water blowing off Georgian Bay. Storms and tornados in the summer, and a ton of snow in the winter. With roads in some areas that are really only meant for summer recreational access. But Joiner’s ambition is such that he keeps right on going if he can. “We framed right through the winter last year,” he boasts. “If they guys want to work, we work. Some days were so snowy last year that you’d mark a bunch of boards to cut them but by the time you go to square them off you can’t even find your mark.” Rock is another special feature of Georgian Bay builds. The area is on the Canadian Shield and you only need to dig down a few inches before you hit continuous bedrock. That is, where it doesn’t poke up right out of the ground. Visiting one of Joiner’s early builds, we spoke to the present owner who was planning to dynamite a large table of rock that was blocking the route of a driveway he wanted to add. That’s what Joiner and every other builder in the area are dealing with every time they want to dig a basement. But dig basements they do. Joiner is a big fan of insulated concrete forms and was installing such a foundation at one of the jobs we visited. It’s not hard to see the attraction as a builder – instead of building forms and waiting for the truck to show up to mix and pour concrete then waiting days for it to cure, Joiner’s crew is strapping together a wall of what looks like styrofoam lego blocks. Even Joiner is surprised at how much they’ve gotten done in a day, though he’s careful not to let on to the guys. Joiner’s father-in-law has a company that specializes in water-access projects where you have to bring everything in by boat. That is not uncommon in the area, where many cottages sit on small islands either in Georgian Bay itself or the hundreds of small lakes just inland. Lakeside’s first contract was water access for a bunkie. Joiner describes the early years as a process of figuring things out, one job at a time. Even today, 10 years later, he views the business as a process of problem solving. His strengths are learning fast
Here’s one of Joiner’s first custom builds. He’s friends with the owner and drops around frequently.
and improvising solutions. “I had a Ford Ranger and a bag of tools when I started. Now I have everything I could have possibly imagined,” Joiner says, sounding amazed.
Getting up off the mat Certainly the journey has not been without obstacles. Finding good workers, especially in that relatively remote part of the province, is a constant challenge and Joiner has been forced to take on some help that was less than cream-of-the-crop. Some have had addiction problems, others turned out to be thieves. He presently runs a crew of seven permanent workers working on between two and seven projects at a time. Another setback came when his shop burned down. The gas boiler sprang a leak and filled the attic with gas. It was winter and the roof was covered in snow, which let the gas build up to dangerous levels. Smelling gas, Joiner opened the hatch to the attic to check things out. He guesses doing that let in enough oxygen to start something smouldering. The next time he opened the hatch, the attic exploded into flame and the whole building burned to the ground in eight minutes. He got his trucks and four-wheeler out in time but got burned when he went back to drag out his old snow machine because he didn’t have the keys handy. He’d just taken the fire insurance off it. Lakeside takes a lot of different kinds of contracts with a lot of different structures. It was hired by the designer for one of the projects it is working on now, where the designer sold the build package and the materials to the owner, then hired Lakeside to complete the project. That works out well financially for Joiner, but carries its own frustrations. “The concrete on this one isn’t ideal,” he gripes. “We didn’t get the concrete on it. Somebody else did and they totally screwed it up. I like to be in charge of everything. It’s a lot easier than being in charge of just one thing.”
Leveling up Joiner is at the point now where he’s picking and choosing his projects, turning aside the smaller and low-margin work in favour of high-value builds with interesting designs where he can bring attention to quality to the project. With larger contracts has come an ability to invest in better marketing to get the kinds of jobs Joiner likes. Marketing is one thing that doesn’t come naturally to him. “I’m always rushing,” Joiner says. “I forget to take photos of my nice jobs when they are done. I’ll be, like, ‘All right, nice, now on to the next one.’” Joiner admits his photography skills are not the greatest anyway. So he’s hired a marketing firm and pays to have them take photos of his projects and turn them into a slick presentation on his website. And, indeed, lakesidemuskoka.com is very polished with lots of attractive project shots. Just the thing to communicate to owners that they are dealing with a high-quality, high-value builder. But even running a successful contracting business can’t use up all of Joiner’s energy. He also owns one of the largest mixed martial arts gyms in central Ontario, Big Sound MMA. Joiner never disconnected from his original passion for kickboxing and now trains around 100 fighters and weekend warriors at his facility in downtown Parry Sound. Some of his fighters he coaches personally and one or two are going on to very high level international competition. The gym also serves a dual purpose as a recruitment centre for Lakeside – two of the workers on the jobsite we visited were also Joiner’s MMA fighters. As he drives them in his truck from the site to a training session at the gym, all the talk is of weight classes and who they’ll be facing in the coming days. A swim at lunch, a drive with the dog, a problem to solve and an evening at the gym. Looks like Mitch Joiner has life pretty much figured out at Lakeside Contracting and Property. cc For more contractor profiles, visit canadiancontractor.com
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MAKING SPACES
GREAT FINISHES
Three Canadian contractors take us inside their award-winning interiors. By Patrick Flannery
MOUNTAINVIEW CHALET Design/Build: Weninger Construction and Design Comments: Shauna Wizinsky, senior project manager and designer Project location: Kelowna, B.C. Scope: Custom new build
They wanted something they could use for a long time and everybody could use together. It’s really a big open space on the top floor and bedrooms on the lower floor. They wanted luxury, high-end finishes here – the quintessential Canadian ski chalet but just a very calm, neutral palette. We’d done a huge variety of things but not a glass tube elevator. It’s a three-floor house so three stops on it. There’s an Okanagen elevator company that we use and they have the kits and all different models. So you decide on the model and the sizing and we tell them how far apart the stops are going to be. You do have to do a landline, 12 Fall 2026
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which is something that people don’t typically have anymore, because you have to put a phone in there, just in case. The stone is a Pangaea fieldstone by CSI Stone. Real, natural stone. And below is a reclaimed timber on the stove range hood. The island is leathered finished granite in matte black. I really liked that island – it doesn’t show any fingerprints. That is custom cabinetry from Wall To Wall Kitchen and Bath in town. He made that all to suit. Custom coloured. The cabinet hardware is from a Ukranian forge. During the time we ordered them, they actually did relocate to the U.K. But custom hand-finished
– they’ve got a really nice feel to them. They have a hammered finish and they are all just slightly different. Getting the suspended track light down on a vaulted ceiling is always a challenge. That was an interesting install, for sure. But it’s such a nice, clean, modern look. You use scaffolding but you have to get it all even. All four corners are individually suspended by wires. So you have to get all those even. And then you walk in and go, “Hmmm, I think we want to drop it three inches.” Everybody gets really happy. But our electricians are really great.
The flooring is custom hardwood: ripped white oak. We do try to source locally or at least local installers and local subs whenever we can.
This room is southeast facing. It’s the same flooring but there’s a lot of colour variation in that. It’s walnut. Engineered hardwood. It really changes as you use the space – it’s actually kind of a living finish. It changes colour as it ages. Those are individual windows with timber framing in between. There are PSL posts between most of those. We frame it up really tight and really square and then it has the look of curtainwall but a little bit chunkier in between, but at a greatly reduced cost. We have all the window coatings. This room is a lot of windows for sure. Everybody wants to put their TV over the fireplace but it’s so hot there. So we have these fireplaces where the venting comes up to the top. The masons were able to keep it so clean you can barely even see it in person.
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MAKING SPACES
MAPLE RIDGE FUN ZONE We had to create a multi-use space. So you’ve got a games room with a kitchenette bar. A great place for the family to come and hang out in, yet it’s adaptable. If somebody wants to come and read a book or have a quiet conversation in the library but also playing pool, card games. What I like about this room is the layering. You’ve got this nice coffered ceiling detail, sort of standard over the bar but then more unique upstairs with the skylights. It just adds another level, not just flat, white drywall ceiling. The railings are site-laminated to match the curve of the framing. They laminate the blanks on site, then leave them there for a couple days until the glue is cured, then take them back to the shop to machine them to profile, then ultimately install them. Essentially they get jigged up on site to match the face of the framing. There are fewer and fewer contractors who are doing that sort of thing. These were a bit easier because they are paint grade. 14 Fall 2026
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Design and build: Alair Maple Ridge Comments: Chris Klassen, partner Project location: Vancouver Scope: New addition on existing home
The same millworker that did our cabintry downstairs did these shelves, then they added the rolling ladder assembly to it, which means you can access every shelf, not just the bottom three. Those ladders are commercially available. The ladder just rolls on the floor, it’s not actually in a track. The engineered hardwood floor is reasonably durable so as long as you don’t have someone rolling the ladder back and forth 100 times per day it should stand up a long time. There’s a little deck out the door there so you can go outside. Maple Ridge is right up against the north mountains so you have some pretty nice scenery around there.
[The golf simulator is a different project, but it was so cool we wanted to include it. - ed.] The golf simulator guys we work with take care of this. The only thing we provide is the power. It’s kind of a turnkey service where we do the rough-in. The only things we typically do is a bit of subfloor prep just to make sure you don’t have that impact sound going through the whole house and some soundproofing in the ceiling and wall areas. The floor is usually an underlayment that goes underneath the Astroturf. You can go right over the concrete. The ceiling is a combination. We’ll batt out the joist bays and then use a combination of acoustic panel, like a Donnacana type of product, resilient channel and five-eigths drywall. The ceiling is almost like a gym padding type of product. There’s a reason they are in sections – they are modular so you can buy these and adapt them to different room sizes.
canadiancontractor.ca Fall 2026
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MAKING SPACES
STAIRCASE SIZZLE Designer/Build: Builds by David Comments: David McArthur, owner Project location: Creemore, Ont. Scope: Partial tear down and rebuild of 30-year-old private home.
The instructions from my designer self to my builder self was a low-maintenance accent with some kind of high impact. There are two hidden doors. At the top of the stairs it returns towards the back of the house and there’s a hidden door there as well into a powder room. We had to get a little creative because the accent wall is a PVC product and the slats are just hollow core. The flush-mount doors are completely customizable and ordered to size. So you had to make sure your door and the measurements and the slot measurements all worked out because you couldn’t rip it like you can with a wood slot. The goal was to make the stairwell drywall-free. People face that wall from a cathedralceiling great room. So it was just to get one wall that was not just paint and drywall. An accent wall with a utilitarian purpose as well. The original design had a wall running to the ceiling to block that stairwall off but then we did the demolition and it was all of a sudden, “Hey, this looks pretty nice.” I think this shows what you can do without going crazy over-the-top on products. It’s a few extra square feet of engineered hardwood at $7.50 per square foot and a couple thousand dollars worth of PVC panel. 16 Fall 2026
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The wall underneath the top set of stairs and the bottom set of stairs that falls directly under the glass got all matching hardwood, so it waterfalls. We brought it across the floor, waterfalled down to the landing then across to the accent wall. We kept the boards in line so the wood grain lines up. People are putting luxury vinyl plank through their whole house but I just don’t like the movement of it. I like glued down, stapled down.
We had to block off that top tread of the lower stair set, so do we just keep running the glass down at an angle or curve it and straighten it out? But we decided to just do it so it just follows like a mirror image of the riser below. It was a company called Modern Glass. They came and templated it all out then we fine-tuned the design and they had it made and came back for the install. It was the first time I got involved with glass rail and got an education. For 25 percent more you can get the clear, clear glass but I don’t even notice it now. The green tint shows up more in the photo than what it is in real life.
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WHITEPAPER
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL POWER OF HOME RENOVATIONS Renovations sustain 170,000 jobs in Ontario and generate $21 billion in GDP, yet are often overlooked.
R
enovations rival new construction as an economic driver. Ontario’s residential construction sector supports 457,000 jobs and contributes nearly $57 billion annually to the province’s GDP, with renovations alone accounting for roughly 40 percent of all employment and activity. More than 170,000 jobs depend on renovations. When both direct and indirect effects 18 Fall 2026
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are considered, home renovations generate over 170,000 jobs, $11.3 billion in wages, and $21 billion in GDP, a cornerstone of Ontario’s $1.2 trillion economy. Renovations are key to climate progress. With 70 percent of Canada’s 2050 building stock already built, retrofitting existing homes is essential to cut the 18 percent of national greenhouse gas emissions
linked to buildings and achieve federal climate goals. And renovations are essential for safe, suitable and agingready homes: Over 400,000 Ontario households live in homes that are in need of major repairs, while most Baby Boomers plan to age in place – all underscoring the need for ongoing home upgrades and accessibility retrofits. The renovation sector is a
PHOTO: © TOMASZ ZAJDA / ADOBE STOCK
By Missing Middle Initiative
Industry
Direct Jobs
Direct + Indirect Jobs
Direct Direct + Indirect Compensation ($M) Compensation ($M)
Direct Value Added (M$)
Direct + Indirect Value Added (M$)
Primary industries
0
4,500
0
361
0
1,028
Utilities industries
0
900
5
128
0
299
Construction
228,800
232,200
14,202
14,431
28,085
28,427
Manufacturing
200
46,500
17
3,652
28
6,356
Distributive trade and transportation services
800
55,000
72
3,355
136
5,660
Information, finance and professional industries
44,100
101,600
3,623
7,916
6,126
13,682
Care services
0
1,900
0
58
0
106
Other services (except public administration)
0
11,500
0
491
0
632
Non-profit and government services
600
3,300
47
281
75
397
TOTAL
274,600
457,400
17,968
30,673
34,458
56,586
Residential construction is the quiet powerhouse of the Canadian economy, providing almost half a million jobs in Ontario alone.
activity in the sector. When both direct and spin-off activities are considered, renovations contribute over 170,000 jobs, more than $11.3 billion in employee wages, and $21 T:3.475" billion in GDP to Ontario’s economy each year.
T:4.75"
quiet economic and social powerhouse. While policymakers should not lose focus on new construction, renovations also sustain middle-class jobs, maintain housing quality, enable climate action and let families and seniors stay rooted in their communities. New homes aren’t always built; often, they’re rebuilt from existing homes. In recent months, many articles have highlighted the importance of the homebuilding sector to Ontario and Canada’s economy, and how a slowdown in new home sales and new housing construction will lead to a loss of employment and tax revenue. Missing Middle Initiative often makes the point that governments can become so focused on losing tax revenue from measures such as reducing the GST on new homes that they often lose sight of the cost of inaction and the lost tax dollars resulting from declining housing construction. We thought it would be helpful to put the size of Ontario’s housing construction sector into context. Doing so reveals that both the building of new homes and the renovation of existing homes are key drivers of Ontario’s economy. In 2024, according to Statistics Canada, residential construction in Ontario directly accounted for 274,600 jobs, nearly $18 billion in employee compensation, and over $34 billion in economic activity. When indirect (spin-off) economic activity is taken into account, the sector is responsible for 457,000 jobs, over $30 billion in compensation, and nearly $57 billion in economic activity. These figures represent approximately 5.5 percent of Ontario’s workforce of 8.2 million people and its $1.2 trillion economy. Not all direct and indirect employment and economic activity in residential construction stems from the building of new homes. Statistics Canada divides the sector into three activities: new home building, renovations, and ownership transfer. Data shows that the renovation portion of residential construction accounts for approximately 40 percent of direct and indirect employment and economic
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2026-09-15 11:07 AM
WHITEPAPER
Direct + Indirect Jobs
Direct + Indirect Compensation (M$)
Direct + Indirect Value Added (M$)
Industry
New Build
Renovations
Ownership Transfer
New Build
Renovations
Ownership Transfer
New Build
Renovations
Ownership Transfer
Primary industries
2,500
2,000
100
200
157
4
569
441
18
Utilities industries
500
300
100
70
47
11
163
111
24
Construction
129,100
102,700
400
8,024
6,383
24
15,807
12,585
35
Manufacturing
25,700
20,200
600
2,023
1,584
46
3,522
2,761
73
Distributive trade and transportation services
30,300
22,700
2,000
1,843
1,380
132
3,108
2,332
219
Information, finance and professional industries
52,800
20,200
28,600
4,054
1,531
2,331
7,269
2,677
3,736
Care services
1,100
700
200
32
20
6
58
35
13
Other services (except public administration)
6,300
3,900
1,300
269
167
55
347
212
73
Non-profit and government services
1,700
900
700
147
78
56
207
108
82
TOTAL
250,000
173,600
33,800
16,663
11,345
2,665
31,050
21,262
4,274
Renovation accounts for around 40 percent of residential construction activity.
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to renovate at some point in the next five years. In short, while our housing focus has been, and will continue to be, the creation of new supply, the importance of the renovations sector should not be overlooked. Missing Middle Inititative is an Ottawa-based housing think tank. missingmiddleinitiative.ca.
IMPACTS OF RENOVATION 1. About 600,000 jobs across the country. 2. Allows seniors and disabled people to remain in homes. 3. Produces additional housing spaces without new development. 4. Increases value of capital asset for homeowners. 5. Improves energy efficiency and GHG emission performance. 6. Improves health and wellbeing of residents.
PHOTO: © FIZKES / ADOBE STOCK
Ontario’s renovation sector also plays a vital role in achieving several environmental and social goals. For example, a recent Efficiency Canada report highlights how well-designed retrofits can simultaneously reduce or eliminate operational greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, improve energy efficiency, lower energy bills and alleviate energy poverty. There is no pathway to reaching Canada’s climate goals without renovations and retrofits, as 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are related to buildings. The Pembina Institute estimates that 70 percent of the buildings that will exist in Canada in 2050 already exist today, further highlighting the role that renovations will play in Ontario and Canada’s climate ambitions. The renovation sector is also vital in ensuring that homes remain in good repair and are suitable for their occupants. A Statistics Canada/CMHC study found that, of Ontario’s 5.8 million households, nearly 400,000, or 6.6 percent, live in unsuitable housing that needs to be expanded in order to house their occupants comfortably. Additionally, over 400,000, or seven percent of Ontario’s 5.8 million households, live in homes that require major repairs. An additional 1.3 million live in homes that need minor repairs, and the remaining 4.1 million have housing that requires regular maintenance. Renovations are also crucial for allowing seniors to age in place comfortably. A 2017 report by Home Modification Canada finds that 85 percent of Baby Boomers plan to age in place in their existing homes. Accessibility features and other modifications can help an aging population live safer, more comfortable lives. Others wish to renovate to improve the esthetics, functionality, or re-sale value of their home, with a 2025 CMHC study finding that 74 percent of homeowners plan
INTERIOR MONOLOGUE
DESIGN BEFORE YOU BUILD Make an interior designer your first call. By Linda Price-Bennett
M
any people planning a renovation think of a designer as the person who shows up near the end, selecting paint colours and decorative accents. That assumption is one of the most expensive mistakes a renovator can make. The right time to bring in a designer is not after the plans are drawn and construction has started. It is before a single decision has been made. Here’s why that matters, and what you stand to gain. Decisions made early are decisions you can afford to change. Every renovation has a hierarchy. Structural choices dictate mechanical choices. Mechanical choices dictate finishes. Finishes drive everything you see. When a designer is involved from the start, that sequence works in your favour. When a designer is brought in later, they are working against it by correcting decisions already locked into a permit or, worse, in concrete. A wall relocated in the planning phase costs a conversation and a drawing modification. Relocated during construction, it costs a lot of time and money. Discovered after drywall, it may not move at all. A designer sees the whole, not just the parts. Sub-contractors are specialists. Your plumber thinks about plumbing. Your electrician thinks about circuits and switches. Your carpenter thinks about cabinets. None of them are paid to think about how all of it fits together as a living space: how the lighting will feel at 7 p.m., whether the kitchen layout supports the way you cook, where
the art will go, or how the automation system will be integrated without a wall full of switches and controls. That coordination is the designer’s job. A professional interior designer works across all those layers simultaneously. Lighting design, functionality, acoustics, materials, automation – none of these are afterthoughts. They are the project. Budget control and peace of mind begin at the concept stage. One of the most common sources of renovation overruns is scope creep caused by late-stage discoveries. A designer who understands construction ranging from framing, plumbing, HVAC, to permitting, can identify potential conflicts before they become costly surprises. They can also hold subtrades accountable to timelines and budgets when the project is underway, because they understand what each trade is responsible for delivering. Viali’s project coordination service exists precisely for this reason. We coordinate with the contractor or construction manager to deal with the day-to-day realities of renovation, so our clients do not have to. Our clients receive periodic briefings; they are not dealing with daily crises and the need to make immediate uninformed decisions. The design brief protects homeowners from their own good ideas. Clients bring ideas to renovations. They might be images saved, rooms admired, features wanted. A designer’s job is not to talk them out of those ideas. It is to test them against their lives. How do they intend to use this room? What do they need it to do at different times of day? Who else lives here and what do they need?
That inquiry, done before anything is drawn, is what separates a beautiful renovation from a beautiful and functional one. Good design is both. It reflects the people who live in the space, not the preferences of the designer. Our philosophy is straightforward: it is their home, not ours. The role of the designer is to find, design, and bring to life what your client finds beautiful and to make sure it functions properly for them. An initial design conversation typically covers how the client plans to use the home, what is not working in the current layout, their esthetic preferences, timeline and budget. From that, a scope of work takes shape. The scope of work is agreed upon before anyone lifts a hammer. Timelines are set up front, reviewed and confirmed. Transparency around scope, budget and execution is non-negotiable. That clarity at the beginning is what makes the middle and end of a project manageable. The renovation will take months. The planning conversation happens over a few days. The return on those few days in avoided mistakes, in money saved, and in a result that reflects the life the client wants is not marginal. It is the difference between a renovation that works beautifully and one you wish you had done differently. Make the call before the plans are drawn. cc Linda Price-Bennett is a certified adaptive living specialist and art consultant and creative director of Viali Design, a fullservice interior design studio serving residential and commercial clients across Canada. vialidesign.com canadiancontractor.ca Fall 2026
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IDEAS
SMALL PROJECTS, BIG VALUE Here are five small renovations that will maximize home value for your clients. By SFA Saniflo
of the fastest ways to improve how a home functions. In many homes, especially older ones, a single main bathroom can turn busy mornings into a juggling act. Today, bathrooms can be added in basements, under staircases, attics, or converted spaces using compact macerator and pump systems that grind and discharge waste through small-diameter piping to an existing drain line. This approach eliminates the need for extensive trenching or breaking concrete, making installations faster and more practical in retrofit situations. For contractors, these solutions make it easier to deliver high-value additions without major structural disruption.
2. Creating a dedicated laundry zone
Modern plumbing technology means contractors can open their minds to new possibilities. Think about adding bathrooms, sinks and appliances in areas you may not have considered before.
A
cross Canada, renovation demand remains strong, but homeowner priorities are shifting. Instead of focusing strictly on cosmetic upgrades for resale value, many are investing in projects that improve how their homes function day to day. For contractors, this shift is driving demand for smaller, targeted renovations that maximize existing square footage while minimizing disruption. Advances in plumbing
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technologies are also expanding what’s possible in retrofit situations, allowing fixtures and appliances to be added in locations that were previously difficult or cost-prohibitive. We’ve rounded up five renovation projects that consistently deliver strong value with manageable scope.
1. Adding a bathroom in previously challenging spaces Adding an extra bathroom is one
Laundry rooms are increasingly being relocated from high-traffic kitchens and hallways into basements, mudrooms, or secondary utility areas. Compact greywater pump systems can discharge wastewater from washing machines and laundry sinks to remote drain lines, allowing contractors to position laundry areas where they make the most practical sense for homeowners. These projects require relatively small footprints but can significantly improve workflow, noise management, and household organization.
3. Unlocking underused spaces Basements, garages, and attics represent some of the largest sources of unused square footage in Canadian
homes. Rather than building outward, many homeowners are choosing to convert these spaces into guest suites, home offices, gyms or entertainment areas. With the addition of plumbing infrastructure, these areas can also accommodate small kitchens or bathrooms. These types of projects often provide opportunities to add functional upgrades while working within the home’s existing footprint.
4. Installing utility fixtures where they’re needed Another growing trend is the addition of small utility fixtures in work areas such as garages, workshops, recreation rooms, or secondary living spaces. A utility sink, for example, can significantly improve how these areas function. Greywater pumps make it possible to install sinks and other fixtures far from existing plumbing lines without extensive pipe runs or floor demolition.
5. Designing for future flexibility Many homeowners are also thinking beyond their immediate needs. Renovations increasingly incorporate infrastructure that supports future changes, whether for aging in place, rental suites, or multigenerational living. Adding plumbing access points and flexible layouts allows homes to evolve over time without requiring another major renovation.
“We’re seeing homeowners think much more strategically about how their homes will function not just today, but for years down the road,” says Phil Warren, managing director at SFA Saniflo Canada. “That’s driving demand for renovation solutions that allow contractors to add kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas in places that traditionally would have required extensive demolition. At SFA Saniflo, our macerator and pump technologies are designed to give contractors that flexibility, allowing wastewater to be moved through small-diameter pipes so new fixtures can be installed where homeowners actually need them.” As homeowners look to maximize the performance of their homes, contractors are finding that smaller, strategic upgrades can deliver major improvements in everyday livability. Projects like adding a basement bathroom, relocating a laundry area, or installing a utility sink may be modest in scope, but they can significantly improve how a household functions, often without the cost or disruption of major structural renovations. In many cases, it’s these thoughtful upgrades that make a home feel more comfortable, efficient and adaptable for years to come. cc SFA Group provides water treatment; shower, balneotherapy and spa equipment; and domestic and professional pumping solutions around the world.
26_011562_Canadian_Contractor_OCT_CN Mod: August 25, 2026 8:59 AM Print: 09/11/26 page 1 v2.5
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IDEAS
A LOT BETTER THAN PLASTIC BAGS palottraypal.com
The Put A Lid On iT (PALOT) Tray Pal is a reusable lid that helps seal paint trays so rollers, brushes and paint stay fresher for longer. This paint solution saves time on cleanup; reduces costs by preventing equipment from drying out and needing replacement; and minimizes mess and plastic waste, making it a more environmentally friendly choice. The top is moulded with shapes designed to securely hold paint cans, brushes, stir sticks and other common painting tools. What started as a solution from the job site has now grown into a Canadianmade product with real momentum. PALOT Tray Pal is in 70 stores across Canada. It is designed for painters, contractors and DIYers who want a simple, reusable way to protect their paint tray between uses. It’s an idea built from the trade, refined through real use and now proving its value in the marketplace.
SHOWER LIKE YOU’RE IN A HOTEL belangerfaucets.com
The Belanger Volta 120 Shower Faucet Kit offers a streamlined, architectural design with practical features. It pairs with the universal 100VSR rough-in series and includes a pressure-balanced performance system. Safety features like a temperature limit (capped at 49 C) and automatic flow shut-off enhance reliability. The 30-inch sliding bar, which requires drilling, allows for single-hand slider activation and adjustable hand shower positioning. The hand shower has spray and massage settings, easy-toclean nozzles and a 69-inch metal hose, delivering 5.7 liters per minute at 80 psi, certified by Watersense. Available in matte black and polished chrome, the Volta 120 combines durability and esthetic appeal for contemporary spaces.
KNOWS WHEN YOU WANT HOT WATER rinnai.us
With affordability pressures affecting households across Canada, high-efficiency gas tankless water heaters offer an effective way to help lower energy costs while providing endless hot water. There are significant benefits a homeowner receives by upgrading to a high efficiency tankless water. Rinnai’s Sensei RX Series is one of the industry’s highest-efficiency tankless water heaters. The water heaters’ uniform energy factor is up to 0.98, which means for every dollar a homeowner spends on energy to heat their water, 98 cents of that dollar is leveraged heating the water. Many traditional tank style water heaters are as low 0.65 UEF. The product line also offers models equipped with a built-in pump and Smart-Circ intelligent recirculation. This feature allows the water heater to learn a homeowners’ water usage pattern and trigger the water heater to begin circulating hot water according to their usage patterns, resulting in faster hot water at the faucet and less wasted water going down the drain while waiting for it to heat up. 24 Fall 2026
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GET YOUR STUFF IN ORDER richelieu.com
For those looking to optimize their storage and get organized, the Logo III closet system from Richelieu offers flexible, modular storage solutions that can be customized for any project. Made of aluminum profiles that are perfect for wall and ceiling installation, this system can be cut to different dimensions to fit its intended space. Available in two trendy finishes, matte gray and matte black, the Logo III provides a modern esthetic in a practical system of supports to keep clutter at bay and disorganization a thing of the past.
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Everyday anchoring projects now have a stronger, simpler option with the introduction of Sure Wall anchors from Simpson Strong-Tie. The portfolio gives renovation professionals anchor options engineered for common mounting, hanging and installation projects. Designed for drywall, concrete, masonry and hollow block, the portfolio is designed with an engineering mindset. With solutions for lightweight, medium-duty and heavier-duty applications, users can more easily match the anchor to the wall material and project – from picture frames, mirrors and shelving to lighting fixtures, mounted televisions, plumbing components and HVAC installations. The lineup combines easy-to-understand choices with installationfriendly designs that deliver dependable holding power. Self-drilling, expansion and toggle options support a range of wall materials and load needs.
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ONTARIAN VIEW
WAKING UP
UP TO WHAT’S NEEDED by Richard Lyall
F
or years, Ontario’s housing crisis was treated as an unfortunate but inevitable reality. Governments talked about affordability, the industry warned about supply shortages and home ownership drifted further out of reach for ordinary families. Meanwhile, taxes, fees and red tape continued to pile onto the cost of every new home. That is finally beginning to change. Governments at both Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill deserve credit for acknowledging a simple truth that the housing industry has been saying for years: if you make housing more expensive to build, you make housing more expensive to buy. The introduction of the temporary HST rebate on new homes and the Canada-Ontario Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) represent some of the most significant housing reforms we have seen in years. Both measures directly address governmentimposed costs that have undermined affordability and weakened the economics of building new housing. The early results are encouraging. The HST rebate, which provides up to $130,000 in relief on qualifying new homes, has helped stimulate market activity at a time when the industry desperately needed a boost. New home sales surged following its introduction, demonstrating that affordability measures can influence purchasing decisions and help restore confidence. Likewise, the DCRP has begun addressing one of the biggest obstacles to housing construction. Development charges have increased dramatically over the years, adding tens of thousands
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of dollars to the price of a new home. The program offers municipalities the financial support needed to lower those charges while still funding critical infrastructure. These reforms matter. They are important. But they are also temporary. That is the challenge. If policymakers are serious about fixing affordability and increasing supply, these measures must become permanent. Housing markets do not operate on short political cycles. Developers make investment decisions years in advance. Land is purchased some time before a shovel enters the ground. Financing is secured based on long-term assumptions. Temporary incentives create temporary certainty. Permanent reforms create investment. The reality is that Ontario remains nowhere near the housing production levels required to meet future demand. You cannot attract people without places for them to live. Nor can you build a competitive economy without housing. Housing is as important as roads, transit systems, ports and energy networks. Without housing, economic growth eventually hits a wall. That is why RESCON is pushing for the next wave of reforms. HST relief and development charge reductions must become permanent initiatives. But it cannot stop there. The Ontario government has begun important conversations around building code modernization and regulatory reform. Those discussions must lead to action. Long-overdue changes such as allowing single staircases in mid-rise apartment buildings, increasing flexibility around floor plate sizes and removing outdated angular plane restrictions should move
forward. These are not radical ideas. They are common-sense changes that would increase housing supply while maintaining safety standards. Approval processes also require substantial modernization. Builders continue to face lengthy delays, duplicative reviews and administrative requirements that add cost without improving outcomes. They are paying for services that are delivered slowly and inefficiently. Every month of delay increases financing costs and reduces project viability. We should be striving to become one of the fastest and most efficient jurisdictions in building housing in the developed world. Instead, too often we remain among the slowest. Federal housing policies also require a fresh look. The foreign buyer restrictions and mortgage stress test were introduced during a period of extraordinary market activity to cool demand. But the market today bears little resemblance to the overheated conditions of the pandemic years. When new home sales remain weak and projects struggle to achieve viability, policy should focus on supporting construction rather than suppressing demand. At a minimum, Ottawa should allow the foreign buyer ban to expire as scheduled. Better yet, newly constructed housing should be exempt immediately. These are sometimes uncomfortable conversations. But leaders must do what is necessary, not merely what is comfortable. cc Richard Lyall is president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON). He has represented the building industry in Ontario since 1991. Contact him at media@ rescon.com
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The Hammer, where we hit the nail on the head with insights from the world of Canadian renovation and custom home contracting. • • • •
Stamping out bad behaviour Simpler walls for better energy-efficiency Your data could make you money All about CHBA Renovation Services
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