Active Life – Winter 2025

Ontario Edition Winter 2025

travel & leisure | home & garden | technology & finance | beauty & wellness

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WINTER 2025

CONTENTS

16

Move-In Ready Homes INVENTORY HOMES AND INCENTIVES A COMPELLING OPPORTUNITY FOR WELL-PREPARED HOMEBUYERS

DEPARTMENTS

6

Editor’s Note

Budget accordingly, and take advantage

7

Contributors

8

In The Spotlight

Federal budget 2025 receives mixed reviews; more news on page 9, 10 and 11

12

Active Life Online

28

Maps & Amenity Charts

COLUMNS

14

4

Simply Tech

A silent threat in your home – and the smart device that can help detect it

Active Life | WINTER 2025

18

In the Garden Bye bye butterfly

20 TRREB Report

From policy to production: Rethinking how Toronto builds homes

21 22

25

Western View

Teamwork the central theme at Central Ontario Housing Summit

34 Industry Report

Cutting red tape and building faster: Ontario’s new act puts housing and jobs first

Real Estate Pro

Buy new and buy now for the utmost in new home value

FEATURES

Personal Finance

16

What Canada’s latest interest rate drop means for buyers, renewals and refinances

24 Home Realty

Window of opportunity: The bright side of a challenging market

Move-In Ready Homes

Inventory homes and incentives a compelling opportunity for wellprepared homebuyers

26 Home Design

Hardworking laundry and mudrooms

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EDITOR’S NOTE

BUDGET ACCORDINGLY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE

WAYNE KARL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Active Life Magazine

EMAIL: wayne.karl@nexthome.ca TWITTER: @WayneKarl

+ get social 6

Active Life | WINTER 2025

The federal government’s much anticipated recently released Budget 2025 held such promise – and we certainly hoped – that it would address the issues facing the housing markets in Canada.

Indeed, homebuilding and other housing stakeholders, including the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), had been educating Ottawa in recent months on the issues, and offering potential solutions.

It is a “plan to transform our economy from one that is reliant on a single trade partner, to one that is stronger, more self-sufficient and more resilient to global shocks,” the federal government says. “Our plan builds on Canada’s strengths – world-class industries, skilled and talented workers, diverse trade partnerships, and a strong domestic market where Canadians can be our own best customers. We are creating an economy by Canadians, for Canadians.”

Be it due to a focus on a larger, more fundamental economic pivot to deal with increasing trade challenges, early reviews are that Ottawa came up short on the housing component in Budget 2025.

CHBA, the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA), and the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) all seem less than enthralled with inclusions in the budget to address housing challenges with any immediacy.

Some good news, however, comes from the province, with its Fall Economic Statement.

Like CHBA and BILD, OHBA says it will continue to advocate for the removal of the provincial portion of the GST on all new home construction, not just for first-time homebuyers – which represent only about five per cent of the new home market.

Meanwhile, as our story on page 16 and other content in this issue explores, there are new-home buying opportunities in the GTA and elsewhere in Ontario – and yes, even in active adult communities.

For those who are well prepared and can budget accordingly, the weeks and months ahead represent a window of opportunity.

Interact with us on social media: nexthome

CONTRIBUTORS HOME DESIGN | MARIAM ABOUTAAM An award-winning interior designer, Mariam Aboutaam is Director, Sales and Marketing, Interior Design at Kylemore, Markham, Ont., a builder known for master-planned communities and luxury homes. kylemoreliving.com.

SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, SALES, NEXTHOME

Hope McLarnon 416.708.7987 hope.mclarnon@nexthome.ca SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANT

PERSONAL FINANCE | JESSE ABRAMS Jesse Abrams is Co-Founder at Homewise, a mortgage advisory and brokerage firm based in Toronto. thinkhomewise.com

Amanda Bell 416.830.2911 amanda.bell@nexthome.ca EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Amanda Pereira EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – GREATER TORONTO AREA

Wayne Karl wayne.karl@nexthome.ca CONTRIBUTORS

WESTERN VIEW | MIKE COLLINS-WILLIAMS Mike Collins-Williams, RPP, MCIP, is CEO West End Home Builders’ Association. westendhba.ca.

Mariam Aboutaam, Jesse Abrams, Mike Collins-Williams, Ben and Mark Cullen, Debbie Cosic, Greg Gazin, Barbara Lawlor, Dave Wilkes EXECUTIVE MEDIA CONSULTANTS

Jacky Hill, Michael Rosset VICE-PRESIDENT, MARKETING – GTA

Leanne Speers

MANAGER CUSTOMER SALES/SERVICE

Marilyn Watling

HOME REALTY | DEBBIE COSIC

SALES & MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR

Debbie Cosic is CEO and founder of In2ition Realty. She has overseen the sale of more than $15 billion worth of real estate. With Debbie at its helm, In2ition has become one of the fastest-growing and most innovative new home and condo sales companies. in2ition.ca

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Gary Chilvers Josh Rosset DISTRIBUTION

distributionteam@nexthome.ca ACCOUNTING INQUIRIES

accountingteam@nexthome.ca DIRECTOR OF PRINT MEDIA

GARDENING | BEN AND MARK CULLEN Mark Cullen is a Member of the Order of Canada, and provides gardening advice to more than two million Canadians each week.

Ben Cullen’s specialty is food gardening. markcullen.com; Facebook @MarkCullenGardening and Pinterest @MarkCullenGardening.

Lauren Reid–Sachs

VICE-PRESIDENT, PRODUCTION – GTA

Lisa Kelly

PRODUCTION MANAGER – GTA

Yvonne Poon

GRAPHIC DESIGNER & PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR

Hannah Yarkony

TECH | GREG GAZIN Greg Gazin is a syndicated tech columnist, blogger, podcaster, and contributes to canoe.com, Troy Media and Active Life magazine. gadgetguy.ca Published by

REAL ESTATE PRO | BARBARA LAWLOR Barbara Lawlor is CEO of Baker Real Estate Inc. A member of the Baker team since 1993, she oversees the marketing and sales of new home and condominium developments in the GTA, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal, and internationally in Shanghai. baker-re.com

INDUSTRY REPORT | DAVE WILKES Dave Wilkes is President and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), the voice of the homebuilding, land development and professional renovation industry in the GTA. For the latest industry news and new home data, follow BILD on Twitter, @bildgta or visit bildgta.ca.

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nexthome.ca 7

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

FEDERAL BUDGET 2025 RECEIVES MIXED REVIEWS With a goal to address the issues Canada faces with regard to a rapidly changing and increasing trade and economic uncertainty, Budget 2025 was intended to focus on things the federal government can control.

Budget 2025: Canada Strong was to be “our plan to transform our economy from one that is reliant on a single trade partner, to one that is stronger, more self-sufficient and more resilient to global shocks. Our plan builds on Canada’s strengths – world-class industries, skilled and talented workers, diverse trade partnerships, and a strong domestic market where Canadians can be our own best customers. We are creating an economy by Canadians, for Canadians.”

Budget 2025 delivers on the government’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review to modernise government, improve efficiencies and deliver better results and services for Canadians. It includes a total of $60 billion in savings and revenues over five years, and makes generational investments in housing, infrastructure, defence, productivity and competitiveness. These are the smart, strategic investments that will enable $1 trillion in total investments over the next five years through smarter public spending and stronger capital investment.

Despites such promise, housing industry sources say Budget 2025 comes up short in addressing the issues facing the homebuilding industry in Canada.

Nationally, Canadian Homes Builders’ Association (CHBA) is raising concerns regarding the excessive expectation being placed on initiatives for government-supported housing through Build Canada Homes – an initiative that will help homelessness and low-income households needing support, but not address homeownership for the middle class of the next generation.

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Active Life | WINTER 2025

Despite urgent calls for action, the budget presented no new measures to address housing affordability for the average Canadian who still wants to become a homeowner, CHBA says.

It emphasized the promise of a GST exemption for first-time buyers – a measure announced earlier and still not legislated, which has left buyers on the sidelines and stalled new construction.

CHBA also the budget missed an opportunity to expand the GST relief to all buyers of new homes, and to renovations that create added housing units, such as additional dwelling units (ADUs) or secondary suites.

At the provincial level, The Ontario Home Builders Association (OHBA) says it is deeply disappointed with the lack of support for Ontario’s homebuilders and buyers. The budget presented no new measures to unlock supply and restore affordability, as Housing Minister Gregor Robertson previously indicated, and the federal approach remains focused on incremental change rather than transformative action. OHBA says there is no new measures to support the construction of market housing – the segment where most Ontarians seek to buy or rent homes.

And more locally, the Large Urban Centre Alliance, co-facilitated by the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), says it is concerned with the budget’s response to the serious issues impacting the housing sector in Canada’s largest municipalities.

Budget 2025 acknowledges the affordability challenges in new home construction by confirming an increase to the GST/HST rebate thresholds to the first $1 million, with a declining rebate to $1.5 million, but only for first-time buyers – a very small fraction of the market, BILD says.

While there is an allocation of $12 billion over 10 years to housing

enabling infrastructure, Budget 2025’s treatment of development charges (DCs) is particularly troubling. Not only has the federal government’s language changed markedly, backing away from the commitment to reduce DCs by 50 per cent, but the commitment is now only a framework for federal, territorial and provincial agreements, not an actionable plan to reduce municipal housing fees with any sense of urgency.

Says David Wilkes, president and CEO of BILD and co-facilitator of the Large Urban Centre Alliance: “Not only is the budget based on old data, but its commitments are centred on a reduced Build Canada Homes and vague language on a diluted framework to eventually reduce DCs following successful negotiations with provinces and ultimately municipalities – and the industry is left wondering: How long will that take?”

The Alliance continues to call on the federal government to recognize the magnitude of the crisis and reiterates the need to: • Treat all Canadians fairly and extend the GST/HST exemption for all newhome buyers • Keep the election promise to reduce municipal DCs by 50 per cent • Honour its commitment to bring forward a Multi-Unit Residential Building tax incentive program

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

OHBA ENCOURAGED BY 2025 FALL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) says it is pleased with the provincial government’s 2025 Fall Economic Statement, though it doesn’t introduce new policy initiatives to address housing challenges.

“We are encouraged that opportunities may still exist for the government to implement muchneeded measures due to tariffs and other economic challenges to stimulate the Ontario home construction industry and keep over 40,000 workers employed,” OHBA says.

The government is projecting deficits of $13.5 billion in 2025-26 and $7.8 billion in 2026-27, followed by a surplus of $0.2 billion in 2027-28.

The net debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to be 37.7 per cent in 202526, slightly lower than the forecasted 37.9 per cent from the 2025 Budget.

This ratio fell to a 13-year low last year. The net interest as a percentage of operating revenue ratio for 202526 is forecast to be 6.4 per cent and remains close to the lowest levels it has been at since the 1980s.

Ontario’s real GDP growth has been impacted by U.S. trade policy and tariffs and is projected to decelerate from 1.4 per cent in 2024 to 0.8 per cent in 2025 and 0.9 per cent in 2026, in line with the projections at the time of the 2025 Budget. Real GDP growth is expected to pick up in subsequent years with projected increases of 1.8 per cent in 2027 and 1.9 per cent in 2028.

“It is heartening to see the additional funding of $50 million for the Better Jobs Ontario program,” OHBA says. “This program supports skills training to help job seekers train and upskill for in-demand positions.

We recognize the importance of our skilled labourers, and that without additional support, Ontario was looking at losing up to 40,000 skilled trades jobs. This is an important

measure to support our members and tradespeople across Ontario.”

The Minister of Finance reaffirmed the Ontario government’s commitment to remove the eight per cent provincial sales tax for firsttime buyers on new homes valued up to $1 million, pending the passing of federal legislation. With the ratio of net debt to GDP falling to a 13year low, this will free up surplus revenues that can be diverted to priority projects, OHBA says. “We firmly believe that taking decisive action to address the housing crisis and to restart home construction in Ontario must be one of these priorities.

With that in mind, OHBA says it will continue to advocate for the removal of the provincial portion of the GST on ALL new home construction, not just for first-time homebuyers.

According to research conducted

by OHBA, first-time buyers currently represent approximately five per cent of the new home market. It will take bold action by all levels of government to unlock supply and restore affordability. “We will continue to call on the government of Ontario to lead by taking bold action that will make homeownership a reality for younger generations.

“We anticipate that the next few years will be marked by uncertainty and low economic growth.

Consumers are not making the largest purchase of their lives if they aren’t certain of the future. OHBA remains committed to continuing to lobby the provincial government to expand this PST relief for all new-home sales in Ontario, and spur both the purchase and ongoing construction of new homes across the province.” nexthome.ca 9

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

GTA BUILDERS SHINE AT 2025 OHBA AWARDS OF DISTINCTION The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) has announced the winners of the 2025 OHBA Awards of Distinction (AoD), with builders in the GTA and surrounding area taking home several key awards.

This annual awards program recognizes the creativity, innovation and excellence of builders, renovators, developers and service professionals within Ontario’s residential construction industry.

Categories span seven groupings, including renovation, architectural design, room design, image and advertising, on-site sales presentation, and the coveted Prestige Awards.

For a complete list of winners, visit ohbaaod.ca.

BUILDER OF THE YEAR – SMALL VOLUME: TERRA VIEW CUSTOM HOMES LTD.

Terra View has created comprehensive digital marketing campaigns that showcase both the vibrant community and natural beauty of their locations while educating buyers about Net Zero home benefits. The company leverages its local and national

10

Active Life | WINTER 2025

recognition portfolio strategically, including six consecutive GDHBA Green Builder of the Year awards and three Energy Star Canada Small-Size Builder of the Year Awards in the past five years. Terra View actively supports its local – Grand Highlands Home Builders Association – through comprehensive engagement including event sponsorship, advocacy and volunteerism. Its achievements elevate the entire industry’s profile as one of the top five builders across Canada participating in the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program.

Housing – establishing models for community investment, workforce inclusion and business development within revitalization areas.

2025 PRESTIGE AWARD WINNERS ALSO INCLUDE:

• Project of the Year – Lowrise: Silvergate Homes for Prudhomme Landing • Project of the Year – High- or Midrise: Brixen Developments Inc. for Exhale Residences • OHBA People’s Choice: Silvergate Homes for Prudhomme Landing ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

BUILDER OF THE YEAR – LARGE VOLUME: TRIDEL

When market conditions shifted, Tridel pivoted to move-in-now campaigns and hard-hat tours of nearly finished buildings, offering realtors and buyers firsthand insight into construction quality. A new free seminar series targeted audiences interested in downsizing, first-time buying and investing. Locally, the company led the creation of Community Economic Development (CED) agreements alongside Toronto Community

• Production Built Home (One storey) Stratton Homes Ltd. Glasshaus – Huntsville • Production Built Home (Two storeys up to 2,500 sq. ft.)

Terra View Custom Homes Ltd., The Mapleridge – Guelph (credit to: Terra View Custom Homes Ltd.) • Production Built Home (Two storeys 2,501 sq. ft. and over) Minto Communities, The Oasis – Ottawa • Attached Multi-Unit Home Geertsma Homes Ltd., Riverstone

Subdivision, The Winsford – Belleville • Stacked or Back-to-Back Townhome National Homes, Northshore Towns, The North – Burlington (credit to: ADhoc Studio, esQape design inc., Kirkor Architects & Planners, McOuat Partnership) • Midrise Building (4-10 storeys) The Rose Corporation, The Bakerfield II – Newmarket • Highrise Building (11-plus storeys) CentreCourt Developments Inc., Pickering City Centre – Pickering (credit to: Figur3) • High- or Midrise Condo Suite (Up to 800 sq. ft.)

CentreCourt Developments Inc., Pickering City Centre – Pickering (credit to: Figur3) • High- or Midrise Condo Suite (801 sq. ft. and over) Starward Homes (2014) Ltd., 153 Wilson West – Ancaster • Lobby Entrance Menkes Developments Ltd., Adagio – Toronto (credit to: Figure3, Giannone Petricone Associates Inc. Architects) • Lowrise Green Building (1-3 storeys) Doug Tarry Ltd., Eagle Ridge Northgate, Central Elgin • High- or Midrise Green Building (4-plus storeys) Tridel; Hines for Aqualuna at Bayside Toronto, Toronto

IMAGE & ADVERTISING

• Lowrise Project Video (1-3 storeys) Primont Homes, The Summit – The Blue Mountains • High or Midrise Project Video (4-plus storeys) Mattamy Homes Canada – Urban Division, BLVD Q – Etobicoke (credit to: Gladstone Media) • Social Media Campaign Equiton Developments, Maxium – Toronto (credit to: Community) • Website – Corporate Treasure Hill Home Corp., Treasure Hill – Concord (credit to: 52 Pick-up Inc.) • Website – Project Specific Georgian Communities, Windfall at Blue – Town of Blue Mountains (credit to: McOuat Partnership) • Lowrise Ad Campaign (1-3 storeys) Great Gulf, Five Creeks Estates – Orangeville (credit to: Montana Steele Strategic Advertising, Pureblink, Qoo Studio Inc.) • High- or Midrise Ad Campaign (4-plus storeys) Equiton Developments, Maxium – Toronto (credit to: Community, kg&a) • Lowrise Project Branding and Identity (1-3 storeys) Silvergate Homes Ltd., Prudhomme's Landing – Vineland (credit to: McOuat Partnership) • High- or Midrise Project Branding and Identity (4-plus storeys) Pratt Homes, Elements Condominium – Barrie

ROOM DESIGN

• New Home Kitchen (New Lowrise Home up to 2,500 sq. ft.)

Gordon Tobey Developments Ltd. for Hamilton Woods, Brighton • New Home Kitchen (New Lowrise Home 2,501 sq. ft. and over) Minto Communities, The Oasis – Ottawa (credit to: Laurysen Kitchens Ltd.) • New Home Bathroom Mountainview Homes (Niagara) Ltd., House on The Hill – Fonthill HIGH- OR MIDRISE AMENITY

• National Homes; Brixen Developments Inc., DUO Condos – Brampton (credit to: ADhoc Studio, McOuat Partnership)

ON-SITE SALES PRESENTATION

• New Home Sales Office (Up to 1,500 sq. ft.)

Silvergate Homes Ltd., Prudhomme's Landing – Vineland (credit to: Artcraft Kitchens, Fisher & Paykel Appliances Canada Inc., McQuat Partnership, Silverline Group Inc.) • New Home Sales Office (1,501 sq. ft. and over) Amexon Development Corp., Missoni Sky – Toronto (credit to: Core Architects Inc., II By IV Design) • Design/Decor Centre Primont Homes, Primont Experience Centre – Richmond Hill (credit to: Estate Interiors, Jane Lockhart Interior Design)

• Model Home/Suite (Up to 2,500 sq. ft.)

Kylemore Communities & Angus Glen Developments, Angus Glen South Village by Kylemore – Markham

• Model Home/Suite (2,501 sq. ft. and over) Treasure Hill Home Corp., Palmetto – Oshawa • Lowrise Project Sales Brochure (1-3 storeys) Treasure Hill Home Corp., Meadowlark – Bolton (credit to: 52 Pick-up Inc.) • High- or Midrise Project Sales Brochure (4-plus storeys) Rosehaven Homes for Rebecca Condos – Hamilton (credit to: Figur3) PRESTIGE AWARDS

• Project of the Year – Lowrise Silvergate Homes Ltd., Prudhomme's Landing – Vineland (credit to: McQuat, Neezo, RN Design Ltd.) • Project of the Year – High- or Midrise Brixen Developments Inc., Exhale Residences – Mississauga (credit to: Architecture Unfolded Inc., esQape design inc.)

• OHBA People's Choice Award Silvergate Homes Ltd., Prudhomme's Landing – Vineland (credit to: McQuat, Neezo, RN Design Ltd.) • OHBA Service Professional of the Year My Design Studio – Woodbridge • Ontario Builder of the Year – Small Volume Terra View Custom Homes Ltd. – Guelph • Ontario Builder of the Year – Large Volume Tridel – North York nexthome.ca 11

ONLINE

Catch up between issues at nexthome.ca and enjoy these popular stories

GARDENING

Everything is coming up roses What would we do without roses? What isn’t there to love about them? Their timeless beauty is proof of their popularity.

They fill your garden with perfume and from bud to bloom they delight us whether clambering over trellis, an old brick wall, lighting up the flower bed or simply covering the ground. If you are new to roses, you may think that they require chemicals to control the insects and diseases that bug them. Think again.

SIGNATURE PROJECT

Collingwood Quay: The next wave in waterfront condo living An important transition is unfolding in Collingwood, taking one of Ontario’s most prominent shipbuilding communities and vacation destinations into a four-seasons paradise, complete with elevated homeowning and lifestyle opportunities. Chief among them is Collingwood Quay, a six-storey, 100-suite boutique condominium from FRAM + Slokker, ideally located on the waterfront.

NEW COMMUNITY

Where legacy meets lifestyle: Redefining aging well with Sinclair Homes As many of us approach the golden years of retirement or consider the next stage of life, the place we call home becomes more important than ever. It’s not just about square footage or curb appeal, it’s about lifestyle, comfort, community and making a smart investment in our future. That’s where Sinclair Homes is leading the way.

DECOR

Lighting as a design foundation, not just a finishing touch

HOME TECH

Breathe easier with IQAir Atem Desk: A stylish, whisperquiet personal air purifier

New home lighting should never be an afterthought, but among the first things you plan when designing your new home. While decorative lighting elements can be introduced later in the design process, their placement and purpose should be accounted for from the beginning.

Air quality in our homes not only affects our well-being, but also the quality of our much-needed sleep. While good housekeeping habits can help, so can an air purifier. But not all home air purifiers are created equal. Few are designed like the IQAir Atem Desk Air Purifier, which helps keep us from breathing in those nasty, often invisible ultrafine particles that can potentially wreak havoc on our health.

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ADVICE | SIMPLY TECH

A SILENT THREAT IN YOUR HOME

– AND THE SMART DEVICE THAT CAN HELP DETECT IT WHAT IS RADON?

GREG GAZIN When we think of a tasteless, odourless, invisible killer at home, carbon monoxide (CO) comes to mind. But there’s another oftenoverlooked danger: Radon.

In Canada, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking, and the number one cause among non-smokers. CO kills about 300 Canadians a year, while radoninduced lung cancer claims more than 3,200 lives – roughly eight daily.

“The problem is fixable and totally preventable,” says Dr. Aaron Goodarzi, Canada Research Chair for Radiation Exposure Disease at the University of Calgary. “But people can’t be complacent.”

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Active Life | WINTER 2025

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced when uranium in soil and rock breaks down.

Outdoors, it disperses harmlessly. But when it seeps into homes through cracks, drains or gaps around pipes, it can accumulate to dangerous levels.

Breathing in radon means inhaling radioactive particles that damage lung cells. Over time, this can lead to lung cancer – often without warning.

Health Canada estimates that one in 10 Canadian homes has radon above the recommended guideline of 200 Bq/m³ (becquerels per cubic metre). This means that 200 radon atoms are decaying every second in one cubic metre of air. And while lower levels carry less risk, there’s truly no completely safe level of radon.

Some parts of Canada report among the highest average indoor

radon levels in the world, second only to Poland.

WHY TESTING MATTERS

Radon levels can vary dramatically from home to home – even on the same street. Old or new, every home is vulnerable – because radon is invisible, the only way to know your level is to test.

HOMEOWNERS HAVE THREE MAIN OPTIONS:

• Professional testing: Certified experts can measure your home, but this can be costly and requires scheduling.

• Traditional alpha track kits: Simple and inexpensive, these one-timeuse 90-day devices are mailed to a lab for analysis, providing only a snapshot.

• Digital monitoring: Devices such as the new Airthings Corentium

Home 2 offer continuous, realtime readings and can be reused indefinitely.

While mail-in kits and professional services each have their place, the Corentium Home 2 strikes the perfect balance between accuracy, affordability and convenience.

Unlike one-time kits, it continuously tracks radon over time. Unlike costly professional services, it’s a one-time investment with no recurring fees.

A SMARTER WAY TO MONITOR RADON

Airthings, a Norwegian leader in air quality monitoring, designed the Corentium Home 2 to make testing simple, accurate and affordable.

Building on the original model, it adds temperature and humidity tracking, enhanced Bluetooth LE,and optional SmartLink integration.

Unlike its predecessor and other detectors, it can also run fully standalone – no Wi-Fi, smartphone or app needed. Just insert the two included AA batteries and let it work.

At just 2.4 by 1.1 by 4.45 in. (61 by 29 by 113 mm) and 5.08 oz (144 g), it’s compact and portable. Battery life runs about two to three years.

PERFORMANCE AND ACCURACY

The Corentium Home 2 starts collecting data right away but needs about a week to stabilize its readings.

That’s because radon fluctuates throughout the day, and the unit continuously samples the air to calculate an accurate average. After the first week, readings are reliable within about 10 per cent of lab-grade results, improving to five per cent after two months.

Because radon levels change with weather, ventilation and seasons, Health Canada recommends testing for at least three months, ideally during winter when homes are sealed and pressure differences draw more radon from the ground. Continuous monitoring captures these long-term variations, helping homeowners make informed decisions.

Continuous monitoring captures long-term variations, helping you

understand patterns and make informed mitigation decisions.

CLEAR, ACTIONABLE INFORMATION

On its LCD display, you can see at a glance: • Short- and long-term radon averages (one-, seven- or 30-day, or one-year) • Temperature and humidity readings • A simple Good/Fair/Poor indicator • Bluetooth and SmartLink connection status Pair it with the free Airthings app to access interactive graphs, historical trends and personalized tips. The app also offers firmware updates to enhance performance and enables remote monitoring if you add an Airthings Hub or compatible View device.

TAKING ACTION

If your long-term readings exceed 200 Bq/m³, like it did in my home, Health Canada advises mitigation – such as sealing foundation cracks or installing a sub-slab depressurization system.

Certified radon professionals can help determine the best approach.

Once mitigation is complete, the Corentium Home 2 can verify results over time – something disposable kits can’t do.

WHY THE AIRTHINGS CORENTIUM HOME 2 STANDS OUT • Continuous, real-time radon readings – see changes as they happen • Standalone operation – works fully without an app • Tracks temperature and humidity for environmental context • Portable, battery-powered and easy to move • No lab fees or recurring costs – one-time purchase for ongoing peace of mind • Optional Bluetooth and SmartLink app integration for insights and graphs

better time to test. Detecting and reducing radon is a small action that could make a life-saving difference.

If you discover elevated levels, call a certified professional and download Health Canada’s free Radon Reduction Guide at canada.ca/radon.

To learn more about Airthings Corentium Home 2, visit airthings.com.

COST AND AVAILABILITY

The Airthings Corentium Home 2 retails for $249 with a one-year warranty, extendable free to five years if registered within 30 days.

It’s available through airthings.com, Amazon and other major retailers.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Radon may be invisible, tasteless and odourless – but it’s not undetectable.

Awareness, measuring and action are the keys to protection.

The Airthings Corentium Home 2, with its impressive balance of accuracy, portability and simplicity, helps make your testing straightforward and ongoing. It’s a great investment in your home’s health – and your family’s.

With November marking National Radon Action Month, there’s no

Greg Gazin is a syndicated tech columnist, blogger, podcaster, and contributes to canoe.com, Troy Media and Active Life magazine. gadgetguy.ca

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MOVE-IN READY HOMES

INVENTORY HOMES AND INCENTIVES A COMPELLING OPPORTUNITY FOR WELL-PREPARED HOMEBUYERS

by WAYNE KARL As we head toward the end of the year, with yet another Bank of Canada interest rate reduction on Oct. 29, prospective homebuyers on the new homes and resale fronts are wondering – is now the time to execute their well-thought-out plans.

Uncertainty from the threat of U.S. tariffs remains, though, causing some buyers and builders to pause.

If there was pent-up demand before, these circumstances are only causing it to grow even further, as prospective buyers wait for clarity before making their move.

“The Greater Toronto Area housing market in late 2025 is offering 16

Active Life | WINTER 2025

opportunities for buyers willing to take measured risks,” says industry consultant and analyst Ben Myers.

“After years of explosive growth, the market has entered a correction phase. Some of the long-standing drivers of price appreciation have reversed: Population growth has slowed, sales have stalled and even the rental market has cooled.

Yet beneath these short-term adjustments, the same fundamentals remain: Limited land, strong long-term demand and a diverse population that still needs housing.

For many, today’s lull may represent a brief pause before the next climb.”

Indeed, currently, it’s a buyers’ market, and there are choices and deals, particularly for inventory homes that are ready to move in.

“Our move-in ready homes are moving fast in this buyers’ market,” Richard Mariani, says sales and marketing manager at CountryWide Homes. “Homebuyers see the unique opportunity to be able to get into a brand-new CountryWide home that comes with appliances, air conditioner, full warranty, zero development charges and thousands of dollars in upgraded finishes.

“Whether they’re looking for a freehold townhome, semi or

SELECT OPPORTUNITIES BRAMPTON Queens Lane

by Branthaven branthaven.com BURLINGTON Millcroft Towns

by Branthaven branthaven.com COLLINGWOOD Windfall

by Georgian Communities georgiancommunities.ca

detached home, there’s flexibility to move in before the holidays or early 2026 in some of our most indemand and premium communities throughout the GTA.” CountryWide, of course, is not the only builder with such offerings.

One company, The Tricar Group, is taking move-in ready to another level with an innovative approach.

The company is launching sales of new condominium homes – after the building is complete.

“By building Gordon Square III without a pre-sales phase, we’re not only accelerating the delivery of much-needed housing, we are giving buyers peace of mind,” says Tricar’s President Adam Carapella.

“They can walk through the finished suites, move in quickly and avoid the uncertainty of waiting years for a home. It’s a smarter, more reliable way to buy, focused on the needs of homeowners.”

Georgian Communities, for example, offers a collection of move-in-ready homes, including semi-detached designs, at its Windfall community at Blue Mountain.

And Doug Tarry Homes offers move-in ready Quick Possession Homes – single-family home, semi-detached or townhomes – at a number of its communities in southwestern Ontario.

Another builder, Terra View Homes, has Designer Series Homes of “movein ready, quick occupancy, quality family homes. Comprised of our most sought-after and in demand

floorplans, every Designer Series home is finished in today’s most trending designer finishes both inside and out.”

Branthaven offers a series of Quick Start Homes that are move-in ready, with 30- to 120-day closings. These may also include luxury upgrades and more than $500,000 in price reductions.

National Homes, too, is offering significant enticements at some of its developments, including $200,000 cash off and a bonus value at its Northshore Townhomes community in Burlington.

“While some might see the uncertainty as a reason to wait, savvy buyers know that these conditions create opportunities to secure fantastic pre-construction deals,” says Debbie Cosic, CEO and founder of In2ition Realty. “Developers are offering incentives to attract buyers, and those who act now can lock in incredible value before the market shifts again.”

Some builders are also offering appealing incentives to buy sooner than later. These vary from builder to builder, however, and are sometimes shared with buyers only in sales offices. They are also available for the proverbial “limited time only and subject to change without notice,” so it’s best to check with builders directly.

CountryWide, for example, had earlier partnered with TD Bank to offer firm mortgage approvals up to 24 months.

GUELPH Gordon Square III

by The Tricar Group tricar.com GUELPH Hart Village

by Terra View Homes terra-view.com GUELPH Nima Trails

by Terra View Homes terra-view.com MARKHAM Gallery Towers

by The Remington Group downtownmarkham.ca OAKVILLE West & Post

by Branthaven branthaven.com OAKVILLE Upper West Side 2

by Branthaven branthaven.com

Another builder, The Remington Group, is offering a free car or $85,000 in cash value, at its Gallery Towers development in downtown Markham.

And Doug Tarry Homes has a promotion on firm agreements of purchase and sale of its Quick Possession Homes, from now to Jan. 31, 2026, offering discounts from $5,000 to $50,000.

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ADVICE | IN THE GARDEN

BYE BYE

BUTTERFLY MARK AND BEN CULLEN

The monarch butterfly is in decline.

It has been for some time and Canadian Wildlife magazine reports that it still is. So what? Let’s just say that the monarch is to the world of nature, what an “economic indicator” is to our economy.

When inflation goes through the roof, interest rates take off or the Canadian dollar drops like a stone, people take notice.

18 Active Life | WINTER 2025

We notice things that impact on our pocketbook.

So, we should take notice when a plant pollinator such as the monarch butterfly population is in steep decline. About one third of our food is pollinated by insects, including the monarch. If one third of our foodstream was to disappear, all of us would notice.

THE MIRACLE

There is another reason why we should pay attention to the monarch.

Without a healthy population of monarchs, the story of their annual migration would be relegated to

children’s books and history. It is a story about a miracle.

Canadian Wildlife tells it this way, “For any given year, these butterflies represent the final cohort in a four or five generation annual cycle of monarch reproduction and migration.” Say what? Four or five generations of butterflies are produced in one trip from Mexico to Canada each spring?

Late in the winter, the overwintering population in Mexico flies to Texas and other southern climes where they lay eggs on milkweed plants before the adult monarch dies. Then they begin their migration north.

“The caterpillar offspring, which feed exclusively on milkweed, spend several weeks growing before they pupate, become adult monarchs and continue the migration farther north before reproducing in kind.”

The process repeats until late summer and early fall, often here in Canada, when the monarchs that are alive at that time fly back to the Mexican pine and oyamel forests. The journey to Canada is like a relay of eggs, pupae, caterpillar and butterfly times four or five.

Think about this for a moment.

Four or five generations of monarch butterflies are produced while the whole flock (do butterflies flock?) moves north between 3,000 and 5,000 kilometres over the span of several months from early spring until early fall.

How does each new generation know which direction to fly? And how does the last annual generation know when to stop, turn around and head south again? Not to mention the knowledge they must possess that tells them to stop making babies for a spell.

This is the miracle.

It is not too late in the season to pick up milkweed seeds and sow them directly in your garden. This is a perennial plant that will grow this summer and flower next. Native milkweed is the exclusive food and habitat of monarch butterfly larvae.

Other nectar rich plants include Butterfly Weed (asclepias), Catmint (nepeta), Bugle weed (ajuga), Coneflower (Echinacea), Cranesbill (geranium), some coreopsis, False Sunflower (heliopsis), false indigo (baptista), Yarrow, sedum, Hollyhock, lavender and my favourite Joe Pye Weed (eupatorium, which is related to milkweed). These plants are available at garden retailers this time of year and are ready to plant.

WATER

HOW YOU CAN HELP

While there are myriad organizations such as Canadian Wildlife, government agencies and concerned individuals giving this issue attention, there is a lot that you can do. Even if you live with a condo or apartment balcony you can nurture flowering plants that attract and feed monarchs.

All wildlife needs water to survive, and butterflies are no different. But they are not like birds that dip into the bird bath for a drink. Butterflies have very short legs and are top heavy with wings. They prefer lily pads and mud to access water. That is why you often find butterflies hanging out at the beach (go to

Sandbanks Provincial park for a good show).

RUSTY PATCHED BUMBLEBEE

The monarch is not the only primary pollinator that is at risk. The Rusty Patched Bumblebee was Ontario’s fourth most common species as recently as the 1980s. Today, it is only found in abundance in Pinery Provincial Park. There is much speculation of why this species has all but disappeared: Loss of habitat, neonic-based pesticides and genetically engineered farm crops are highly suspect.

But, once again, you can help by providing habitat, food and shelter for all native bees by growing many of the same plants that we have listed for butterflies. There are more than 700 native bee species in Canada and all of them deserve our attention and thanks for their hard work.

Mark Cullen is a Member of the Order of Canada. He is the Chair of Canadian Trees for Life, a charity dedicated to planting trees in the urban environment to honour our health care workers, first responders and military, one community at a time. treesforlife.ca. Ben Cullen is a professional gardener with a keen interest in food gardening and the environment. He is the founder of Cullen’s Foods, now a part of Yorkshire Valley Farms. You can follow both Mark and Ben on Twitter @MarkCullen4, Facebook @MarkCullenGardening and Instagram @MarkCullenGardening. Sign up for their free monthly newsletter at markcullen.com.

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ADVICE | TRREB REPORT

FROM POLICY TO PRODUCTION:

RETHINKING HOW TORONTO BUILDS HOMES

ELECHIA BARRY-SPROULE If you’re trying to buy or rent a home in Toronto, the challenge is clear: Prices remain high and supply continues to fall short. Meeting the city’s housing goals isn’t just about achieving a number, it’s about creating real options for families, first-time buyers and newcomers who want to call this region home.

In the latest episode of TRREB’s podcast, Ready to Real Estate, TRREB Chief Information Officer Jason Mercer is joined by urban planners Alex Beheshti and Graig Uens to explore how governments, builders and communities can work together to turn plans into actual places to live.

INNOVATION THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The conversation begins with the federal government’s Build Canada Homes Agency, an initiative that could accelerate construction by purchasing prefabricated homes in bulk. Prefabricated and modular homes are built faster and with less waste, at a lower cost, offering a promising way to increase supply without sacrificing quality or design.

UNLOCKING MORE CHOICE IN TORONTO

Toronto’s recent zoning changes are another critical step forward.

New permissions for multiplexes, garden suites and midrise buildings 20 Active Life | WINTER 2025

are opening more neighbourhoods to a broader range of housing types and price points. These policies help bridge the gap between single-detached houses and highrise apartments, helping residents remain in their communities as their needs evolve.

RETHINKING COSTS AND COORDINATION

One of the biggest challenges in building new homes: Development charges. While these fees fund essential infrastructure, they’ve risen over time, making many projects financially difficult to complete. Better alignment on funding, zoning and approvals across all three levels of government can make construction more viable and move good ideas from planning to production.

WORKING TOWARD REAL SOLUTIONS

Toronto’s housing challenges won’t be solved overnight, but

collaboration, innovation and a shared sense of purpose can bring lasting progress. By focusing on practical solutions and removing unnecessary barriers, governments can help create the conditions for more homes, built faster, for the people who need them most.

To hear more insights from Alex Beheshti and Graig Uens, and to explore additional discussions on housing supply, market trends and policy, listen to Ready to Real Estate at trreb.ca.

Elechia Barry-Sproule is President of the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) and Broker/Owner of Red Apple Real Estate Inc. She is committed to mentoring and supporting real estate professionals across the industry. trreb.ca.

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ADVICE | REAL ESTATE PRO

BUY NEW, BUY NOW FOR THE UTMOST IN NEW HOME VALUE

BARBARA LAWLOR

The reasons to buy a new, preconstruction house or condominium – especially for first-time buyers – just keep increasing. Recently, Ontario proposed to remove the eight-per-cent provincial portion of the HST for first-time buyers on new homes valued at up to $1 million.

This is a major step, as it will save potential purchasers looking to enter the pre-construction housing market up to $80,000, which increases to $130,000 when combined with the proposed federal rebate. If this is your first journey into homeownership, think about what that money could go toward.

Plus, it was only a few months ago that the federal government eliminated the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time home buyers on new homes up to $1 million and reduced the GST for firsttime home buyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million.

More information on how first-time homebuyers can take advantage of government incentives and rebates is available from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (cmhc-schl.gc.ca).

We can hope that in the future, these steps will happen for all new home and condo purchasers, not just firsttime buyers.

There are, of course, numerous other reasons for all homebuyers to purchase new over resale, starting with our new home warranty, which provides priceless peace of mind. The seven-year warranty

Richmond Hill Town Manors, from Altona Group

takes effect upon possession and protects major structural defects (tarion.com). Imagine how good it feels to know you have deposit protection, coverage for delayed closing/occupancy, condominium cancellations and financial loss coverage for contract houses – not to mention expensive repairs and refurbishing so often necessary with resale homes.

And speaking of peace of mind, keep in mind that the Ontario Building Code is updated regularly to keep pace with the most advanced technologies and materials. Thinking ahead, this bodes well for the value of your house or condo over time.

And speaking of condos, the perks of this type of living are exciting, with elegant amenities under your roof.

No need to leave the building when there are fitness facilities, theatres, entertainment spaces and/or rooftop terraces, etc. The condominium suites of today come with chic standard features and finishes, as well as layouts that maximize every square foot.

The up to $80,000 that would normally go to the provincial portion

of the HST could be spent on highor lowrise upgrades, if you are so inclined. And if you buy early enough in the selling cycle, you will be able to select those standards and upgrades, which means your surroundings will feel like “home” from day one.

Whether you are a potential first-time homebuyer or a savvy experienced one, consider buying new soon. As soon as sales pick up – which they always do after a low cycle – prices and demand will increase as well. The signs of recovery are there. Next year, it may be difficult to find what you want at a price you can afford. Buy new and buy now.

Barbara Lawlor is CEO of Baker Real Estate Inc. A member of the Baker team since 1993, she oversees the marketing and sales of new home and condominium developments in the GTA, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal, and internationally in Shanghai. baker-re.com

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ADVICE | PERSONAL FINANCE

WHAT CANADA’S LATEST RATE DROP MEANS FOR BUYERS, RENEWALS AND REFINANCES

JESSE ABRAMS

The Bank of Canada’s recent rate cut has led to some muted optimism across the housing market. After holding rates steady for months, the central bank trimmed its policy rate by 0.25 per cent, signaling that inflation is moving closer to its target and that borrowing costs may slowly ease ahead.

For many Canadians, this shift brings both relief and questions.

Whether you’re looking to buy, renew or refinance, the impact of this change depends on where you stand.

22 Active Life | WINTER 2025

BUYERS: A SLIGHTLY BETTER WINDOW

If you’ve been waiting for signs that borrowing conditions might improve, this is one. The rate drop has already led some lenders to lower their fixed and variable mortgage rates, giving buyers a bit more room to breathe. While the difference in monthly payments might not be massive, it can make a real impact on affordability, especially for first-time buyers balancing rising home prices with tighter budgets.

Lower rates also mean slightly higher borrowing power. For example, a 0.25-per-cent cut may allow some buyers to qualify for several thousand dollars more in

purchasing capacity. That said, while home prices in many cities have been dropping, they still remain high and the stress test still requires buyers to qualify at higher benchmark rates. So, while the cut helps, it doesn’t fully solve the affordability crunch.

If you’re planning to buy soon, consider locking in a rate hold. This lets you secure today’s lower rate while giving you time to shop for a home.

RENEWALS: SOME RELIEF, BUT TIMING MATTERS

For those with mortgage renewals coming up, this rate cut brings a bit of good news, especially for anyone on a variable rate. Your payment may

decrease slightly as lenders adjust prime rates downward. If you’re on a fixed term, renewal offers might come in a touch lower than what you saw earlier this year, though still above the record-low levels we saw during the pandemic.

If your renewal is within the next year, it’s worth starting conversations early. Lenders may be more flexible in this environment, particularly if the Bank of Canada continues to ease rates over the coming months.

Comparing options across lenders can help you avoid overpaying, especially if your current lender’s posted rate hasn’t yet caught up with the market. So, speak to an unbiased mortgage professional. Mortgage brokerages such as ours at Homewise provide a view of the market to let borrowers know if their current lender option is a good one or if there are better options by us shopping around. The hour or so it takes can save thousands.

Still, the decision should be made carefully. If you’re breaking an existing mortgage before its term ends, the penalty costs can be significant. The potential savings from a lower rate need to outweigh those penalties.

For some, waiting until renewal to refinance might make more sense.

However, if you have high-interest debt, tapping into home equity at a lower mortgage rate can be a smart long-term play.

“

This rate drop is a welcome sign that borrowing costs may be trending downward again.

WHAT COMES NEXT REFINANCING: AN OPENING FOR STRATEGIC MOVES

For homeowners thinking about refinancing, to consolidate debt, fund renovations or invest in another property, the latest move could open new doors. Lower rates can make refinancing more attractive, as borrowing against your home becomes a bit cheaper.

”

The Bank of Canada has signaled that it will continue watching inflation and the broader economy closely.

Another small rate cut later this year isn’t out of the question if price pressures keep easing. But no one expects a rapid return to the ultra-low rates of the past.

In this new environment, Canadians will likely see small,

gradual improvements rather than dramatic changes. For buyers, that means acting when the math works for your budget instead of trying to time the bottom. For those renewing or refinancing, it’s about staying informed and weighing your options early.

THE BOTTOM LINE

This rate drop is a welcome sign that borrowing costs may be trending downward again. It’s not a gamechanger, but it’s a meaningful step that offers a bit of breathing room.

Whether you’re entering the market, renewing or exploring a refinance, now’s the time to review your numbers and plan your next move with a clear view of where rates and your goals stand.

Jesse Abrams is Co-Founder at Homewise, a mortgage advisory and brokerage firm. thinkhomewise.com

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ADVICE | HOME REALTY

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY:

THE BRIGHT SIDE OF A CHALLENGING MARKET

DEBBIE COSIC

As we move into the final months of 2025, reflecting on one of the toughest real estate cycles in recent decades, there’s still room for cautious optimism throughout the Canadian market. Despite ongoing uncertainty, today’s conditions present a unique opportunity for buyers and investors alike. Factors such as moderating interest rates, appealing purchase incentives and a tightening supply of new housing options are aligning to make this a strategic moment to consider investing in real estate.

Many of today’s pre-construction projects offer extended closing timelines, often four to five years for condos and up to two years for detached homes or townhomes, allowing buyers extra time to save for their deposits while locking in today’s prices. Many developers are also introducing flexible deposit structures, often requiring as little as 10 per cent in total, sometimes spread over several years in installments as low as three per cent annually.

This staggered approach helps ease the upfront financial commitment, making homeownership or investment more attainable.

Another advantage is the availability of substantial discounts offered by developers. With recent market slowdowns, many projects are incentivizing buyers with 24

Active Life | WINTER 2025

reduced prices, creating a rare opportunity to buy at a discount.

Additionally, with fewer new developments breaking ground, future inventory will be limited, which could lead to a classic supply-demand imbalance and rising prices when the market regains momentum.

While historic gains in real estate may not replicate at the same speed in the near term, the potential for long-term appreciation remains strong. Real estate has consistently been a solid investment over the years, offering stability and tangible value. This trend, coupled with the current market conditions, means that those who enter the market now may benefit significantly as demand eventually outpaces supply.

For those considering buying pre-construction, this period offers a unique combination of lowering interest rates, favourable purchase terms, and in today’s market an abundance of inventory to choose from. In2ition Realty offers a diverse

portfolio of projects across the GTA, each designed to match these ideal conditions. Whether you’re looking for a first home, a strategic investment, or a luxury property, our range of options caters to various needs and budgets.

This is your window of opportunity. This is your chance to secure today’s value before the next market upswing and benefit from the growth ahead.

Explore these opportunities with us at in2ition.ca or follow us on social media @in2itionrealty for the latest updates.

Debbie Cosic is CEO and founder of In2ition Realty. She has overseen the sale of more than $15 billion worth of real estate. With Debbie at its helm, In2ition has become one of the fastest-growing and most innovative new home and condo sales companies. in2ition.ca

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ADVICE | WESTERN VIEW

TEAMWORK THE CENTRAL THEME AT CENTRAL ONTARIO HOUSING SUMMIT

MIKE COLLINS-WILLIAMS

Collaboration was the name of the game at the Central Ontario Housing Summit, co-hosted by the West End Home Builders’ Association (WEHBA) and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) and our presenting sponsor Enbridge in early November. The event was jam packed with productive discussions and valuable insights from industry leaders, elected officials and experts across Ontario.

The day began with opening remarks from WEHBA Chair David Ionico and Presenting Sponsor, Enbridge, followed by an address from Rob Flack, minister of municipal affairs and housing. Minister Flack summed up development in Ontario in one short sentence: It takes too long and costs too much to deliver housing in Ontario. The Minister outlined actions the provincial government is taking, such as removing the provincial portion of the HST for new-home buyers purchasing homes of less than $1 million and reforming development charges. OHBA CEO Scott Andison emphasized the importance of recognizing the new home industry as a system that needs to be examined holistically to deliver better outcomes.

A Local Politics of Housing panel brought together Mayor Joe Preston

(City of St. Thomas), Councillor Maureen Wilson (City of Hamilton) and Councillor Paul Sharman (City of Burlington) for a thoughtful discussion exploring the challenges of representing their constituents, building consensus with the private sector and advancing housing supply amidst the difficult political climate.

We also heard an insightful economic overview from Derek Burleton, vice-president and deputy chief economist at TD, who predicts Canada will avoid a recession but experience lacklustre growth and a challenging 2026 and 2027 for development. Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Chair of Ontario Big City Mayors, shared valuable municipal perspectives on housing and growth and the actions her city is taking to move development from the application pipeline to shovels in the ground, such as exploring options for a temporary elimination of local development charges.

Dr. Mike Moffatt, founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative, explored the need for ground-oriented, family-sized housing in the GTHA to prevent continued migration from the region to smaller Ontario communities.

Dr. Moffat was followed by the Builders Who Survived the 1990s panel, moderated by Terri Johns (Landwise). Panelists Jeff Paikin (New Horizon Development Group), Danny Gabriele (Marz Homes) and Bob Finnigan (Heathwood Homes) shared lessons from past market

challenges and insights for surviving the current downturn and building a stronger future.

A Fireside Chat featured Paula Tenuta (BILD), Andrew Whittemore (City of Mississauga), and Arvin Prasad (City of Hamilton), offering candid discussion on the policy, planning and process improvements needed to move housing projects forward. The cultural attitude within municipal planning departments was identified as vital, with planners needing to be facilitators and not regulators.

The day was concluded remarks from Andrea Khanjin, ninister of red-tape reduction, and Christina Giannone, chair of OHBA, who summarized efforts to smooth out the process and items for future OHBA advocacy, respectively.

Together, we are taking action to break down silos and improve collaboration between municipal, federal, provincial and private stakeholders. Collaboration is necessary to improve the speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness of delivering the housing that Ontarians desperately need.

Mike Collins-Williams, RPP, MCIP, is CEO West End Home Builders’ Association. westendhba.ca.

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INSPIRATION |

home design

HARDWORKING

laundrymudrooms AND

by MARIAM ABOUTAAM

Designing model homes for Kylemore means paying attention to laundry rooms and mudrooms as essential, hardworking spaces. These areas of the home must deliver practical use, while receiving the same level of thoughtful finish and design cohesion seen throughout the rest of the model. With the right planning, these often-overlooked service zones become enjoyable environments that support daily living.

KEEPING CLUTTER UNDER CONTROL

Mudrooms are important transition points between attached garages and 26

Active Life | WINTER 2025

the main living areas. Incorporating built-in seating, cabinets and cupboards, cubbies, storage shelves and shoe racks creates a wellorganized space with a designated place for every family member’s items from backpacks to hockey bags. This approach ensures that order is maintained and clutter is kept in check.

If space permits, pet-friendly features can enhance functionality.

This might include a wash station complete with shower pan, bed or crate space, and storage for food, toys and grooming supplies. These additions keep everyday items

out of high-traffic areas yet also add convenience.

COMBINING FUNCTIONS FOR GREATER IMPACT

In a recent award-winning model townhome, recognized as Best Model Home 2025 at the Ontario Home Builder’s Associations’ Awards of Distinction, the laundry and mudroom were combined to maximize efficiency. This room is located near the garage entry on the ground floor.

Custom closets, shelving, bench and coat hooks line one wall, providing quick access to outerwear and essentials. On the opposite wall, full-

size stacked laundry appliances freeup valuable space for a deep sink set into a countertop, a hanging rod, tall broom and mop closet and enclosed cabinetry for supplies. Generous drawers below the counter expand storage. A window adds natural light, resulting in a bright, functional room that is ready for daily use and homeowner appreciation.

FINISHES THAT WEAR WELL

Selecting durable finishes is important in utility spaces that must withstand moisture and heavy use. Non-slip, hard-wearing porcelain or ceramic tiles are long-lasting materials, which provide effortless cleaning and are visually appealing.

For a luxurious effect, porcelain or quartz countertops deliver the look

of marble without the maintenance requirements or higher cost. When budgets allow, extending the material behind the sink as a fullheight backsplash creates a clean, sophisticated finish.

CREATING SPACE

Utility spaces are often among the smaller rooms in the home, so being creative in planning becomes vital.

We look to the vertical to extend cabinetry and shelving to the ceiling providing extra storage for seasonal items that require only occasional access. As well, a built-in bench with a lift-up seat offers concealed storage alongside comfort and useability.

Beautifully designed laundry and mudrooms ensure that these high-function areas serve the family efficiently while harmonizing with the home’s overall style. These are much-used rooms deserving our attention and benefiting homeowners with comfort, organization and lasting enjoyment.

An award-winning in-house designer, Mariam Aboutaam is Director, Sales and Marketing, Interior Design at Kylemore, Markham, Ont., a builder known for masterplanned communities and luxury homes. kylemoreliving.com. nexthome.ca 27

28 Active Life | WINTER 2025

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H A LT O N H I L L S

Georgetown 4

Glen Williams

410

Caledon

CALEDON

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Tottenham

Beeton

NEW TECUMSETH

Alliston

Cookstown

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Newcastle

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Omemee

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Port Hope

Peterborough

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HOT PROPERTIES | GOLDEN HORSESHOE

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Match the map numbers with property listings on the Feature Finder page

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nexthome.ca 31

FEATURE FINDER

FIND YOUR NEXT HOME Complete guide to adult lifestyle communities PO ) OR DO UT E /O OR ENTR DO C (IN ITY UN MM CO

L GO

TEN

F

NI S

LE STY ES VI C SER CE E S AN EN OFFIC I NT L MA IONA ITY L ESS FACI OF PR CARE EM T H SYS ALT HE ITY G UR IN SEC DEN R GA

OL

PRICE FROM

Ashgrove Meadows, Picture Homes – 905.985.0808

Mid $500K

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The Davis Residences, LCL Builds/Rose Corporation – thedaviscondos.com

Low $500K

◆

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Edge & Oro Towers, Solmar – edgetowers.ca

High $500K

◆

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Juniper Gate, Remington – remingtonhomes.ca

Inquire

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COMMUNITY NAME & CONTACT

ON MAP

GREATER TORONTO AREA

OakPark, Ballantry Homes – ballantryhomes.com

Inquire

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Parkland on Eglinton West, Shannex – 416.997.2647

Inquire

◆

◆

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Parkland on the Glen, Shannex – 905.820.8210

Inquire

◆

◆

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St. David’s Village – 416.267.2737

$698/mo.

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Seasons Clarington – 905.697.9992

$3,360/mo.

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Seasons Milton – 905.864.6888

$3,195/mo.

◆

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Tapestry at village Gate West – 416.777.2911

Inquire

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Thorne Mill on Steeles – 905.731.4300

Inquire

◆

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Wellings of Whitby, Nautical Lands – 905-243-1386 Wilmot Creek, Rice – 1.800.994.5668

from $3,500

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Inquire

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GTA 1

C

GTA 2

C

GTA 3

B/TH

GTA 4

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C

GTA 5

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L

GTA 6

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C/R

GTA 7

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◆

R

GTA 8

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◆

R

GTA 9

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◆

R

GTA 10

◆ ◆

B/D

◆

◆

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◆

R

GTA 11

◆

◆

◆

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R

GTA 12

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LF/C

GTA 13

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GTA 14

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ONT 1

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ONT 2

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R/TH/B

ONT 3

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C/B/TH

ONT 4

ONTARIO Allora Condos, Urbandale – 613.822.2190

Mid $400k

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Aura By The Lake, Kaitlin Corp. – kaitlincorp.com

Inquire

◆

Lake

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Batawa livebatawa.com

Inquire

◆

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Blue Bay villas at Cobble Beach & Georgian Villas Custom Homes – 1.877.781.0149

$480K

◆

◆

◆

◆

◆

Bluepoint Lookout, Allan Dev./valour – bluepointlookout.com

Inquire

●

Lake

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◆

Bluewater Country, Parkbridge – 519.542.7800

Mid $100K

◆

◆

■

◆

◆

The Bluffs at Huron, Parkbridge – 519.955.6780

Low $200K

◆

Lake

◆

◆

◆

◆

■

■

◆

B/D

ONT 5

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◆

LL/D

ONT 6

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L/B

ONT 7

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◆

C/TH

ONT 8

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F/B

ONT 9

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B/D

ONT 10

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◆

The Brealey Homes & Suites – nirvana.ca

Inquire

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Brighton By The Bay – 1.800.418.6918

$380K

◆

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Burnham Meadows, Picture Homes – 705.742.1212

Inquire

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Doug Tarry Homes – 519.474.4410

Inquire

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East Village Cobourg, Stalwood – 289.252.1961

Inquire

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◆

Empire Crossing, Esprit – 1.800.932.3043

Inquire

◆

■

■

■

◆

■

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◆

R

ONT 13

eQuinelle Community, eQ Homes – 1.866.829.3117

$470K

◆

◆

◆

■

◆

◆

■

■

◆

C/B

ONT 14

Fairways at Seven Lakes, Gintar – 519.252.0419

Inquire

■

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◆

■

◆

◆

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◆

D

ONT 15

Gordon III, Tricar – 519.830.4823

$400K

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C

ONT 16

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B/D

ONT 19

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B/D

ONT 20

◆

B/D

ONT 11

C/TH/S/B/D

ONT 12

Hamilton Woods, Gordon Tobey – 613.475.0618

Inquire

■

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■

Harbour Hill, Nautical Lands – 1.888.991.6548

$3,614/mo.

◆

■

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■

Hastings Estates, Batavia Homes – bataviahomes.ca

Inquire

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◆

Haven On The Trent, Sifton – 1.855.305.7963

Custom

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Kingswood Cobourg, Mason – masonhomes.ca

Inquire

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◆

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F/TH

ONT 21

Lilacs Retirement Village – 705.742.3338

Inquire

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■

◆

■

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◆

C/B/TH

ONT 22

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TH/S/B/C

ONT 23

S/B/D

ONT 24

◆

◆

F/B/D

ONT 17

R

ONT 18

Luxury Waterfront at Picton Harbour – portpictonhomes.com

Mid $300K

◆ Lake◆ ■

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◆

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■

Orchard Gate Estates, Stalwood – 905.372.4179

Mid $700K

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◆

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Orchard Hill Country Towns – 1.877.548.4455

Mid $700K

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C/B/TH

ONT 25

Parkview Town, Losani – losanihomes.ca

Inquire

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◆

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■

T

ONT 26

Poet & Perth, Reid’s Heritage – poetperth.ca

from 600’s

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◆

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TH

ONT 27

Riverbank, Losani – losanihomes.ca

Inquire

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◆

■

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D

ONT 28

■ ■

◆

■

◆

◆

On-Site Amenities: ◆ = On-Site Facilities ■ = Facilities Nearby ● = Facilities Planned Legend: Style Legend: A = Apartment B = Bungalow C = Condominium D = Detached F = Freehold FO = Fractional Ownership L = Life Lease LH = Leasehold M = Mobile/Modular MH = Manufactured Home R = Rental S = Semi-Detached TH = Townhome 32

Active Life | WINTER 2025

LE STY ES V IC SER NCE S ENA FFICE INT O L MA NA SIO ILITY FES C PRO RE FA A TEM HC SYS ALT HE ITY G UR IN SEC DEN R GA

F

NI S

$370K

◆

◆

◆

■

Victoria Retirement – 905.377.1555

$1,795/mo

◆

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The Village Farm – sinclairhomes.ca

Inquire

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Argyle, Reid’s Heritage – argylevillage.ca

from 600’s

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Bench Mark, Losani Homes – losanihomes.com

Inquire

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RiverBend Golf Community, Sifton Properties – 519.657.4333

ON MAP

TEN

L GO

R) DOO OUT OR/ RE NDO CENT L (I Y POO UNIT M COM

PRICE FROM

COMMUNITY NAME & CONTACT

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Villas/D

ONT 29

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R

ONT 30

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ONT 31

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TH

GH 1

◆

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TH

GH 2

◆

◆

GOLDEN HORSESHOE

■

The Block on Clair, Reid’s Heritage– blockonclair.ca

from 500’s

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Century Condos, Homes By DeSantis centurycondos.ca

Low $500K

◆

■

■

■ ■

Grimsby Waterfront, Losani – losanihomes.com

Inquire

◆

■

■

Harbourtown Village, Silvergate – harbourtownvillage.ca

800’s

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Lackner Ridge, Reid’s Heritage – lacknerridgetowns.ca

◆

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◆

■

■

◆

◆

■

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from $800’s

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Maplewood, Losani – losanihomes.ca

Inquire

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Modal at Main, Reid’s Heritage – modalatmain.ca

from 500’s

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Townhomes at the Oaks in Ridgeway – blythwoodhomes.ca

$490K

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Prudhomme’s Landing – prudhommeslanding.com

Inquire

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■

Soho, Losani – losanihomes.ca

Inquire

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■

GH 3

C

GH 4

C/TH

GH 5

B/D/TH

GH 6

■

■

TH

GH 7

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■

B/TH/D/S

GH 8

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TH

GH 9

◆

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■

B/TH

GH 10

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C/D/TH

GH 11

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C/L

GH 12

◆

◆ ■

TH

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The Oaks at Six Mile Creek, Blythwood Homes

St. Elizabeth Mills, Zest – 905.574.8178

$370K

◆

◆

■

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Sweetberry, Losani Homes – losanihomes.com

Inquire

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◆

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Village Creek, Park Lane Homes – 905.382.8857

Mid $400K

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◆

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B/TH/D

GH 15

Watercrest at Hunter’s Point, Luccetta – luccettahomes.com/watercrest

Inquire

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■

◆

■

■

◆

S/TH

GH 16

$1,295/mo.

◆

■

■

■

◆

■

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C

GH 17

High $400K

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◆

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◆

◆

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C/TH/S

CC 1

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CC 2

Wellings of Waterford – 1.800.996.9885

◆

C

GH 13

S/TH

GH 14

COTTAGE COUNTRY Aquavil, Royalton Homes – aquavil.ca Ashton Meadows, Briarwood – ashtonmeadows.ca

$480K

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Baybourds – sinclairhomes.ca

Inquire

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Beaverton Common, Armour Heights Developments – armourhd.com

Inquire

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Bistro 6, Pratt Homes – 705-733-0300

Mid 500k

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◆

Blue Vista, Royalton Homes – bluevista.ca

Mid $500K

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Braestone Horseshoe Valley, Georgian international – 705.727.5656

Mid $700K

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Collingwood Quay – collingwoodquaycondos.com

Inquire

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■

Georgian Sands, Elm Dev. – georgiansands.com

Low $300K

◆

■

◆

■

Harmony Living, Mamta – mamtahomes.com

Inquire

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Hedge Road Landing, Alliance – 905.596.2200

Inquire

◆ Lake◆ ■

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Highcrest Muskoka, edgewoodmuskoka.com

Inquire

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Hometown Creemore, Alliance – hometowncreemore.ca

$590K

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Lakepoint village, Alliance – 705.323.9768 Mountain House at Windfall, Georgian International – 705.293.0954 Nestings – sinclairhomes.ca

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B/D

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TH

CC 3

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C

CC 4

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S/TH

CC 5

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B/D

CC 6

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B/D

CC 7

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C

CC 8

◆

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TH/S

CC 9

◆

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TH

CC 10

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C/B

CC 11

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B/TH

CC 12

◆

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B/D

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LL

CC 14

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CC 15

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$260K

◆

Low $300K

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●

Inquire

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◆ ◆

■

Oak Bay, Eden Oak – 705.538.0303

$520K

◆ Lake◆ ◆

◆

Residences at Five Points, AT Dev. – atdevelopments.ca

$420K

◆

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Residences on McMurray, Unexus – 705.646.2333

Inquire

◆

◆

■

■

Simcoe Gardens, Mamta – mamtahomes.com

$900K

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■

■

◆

$360K

◆

◆

■

■

Mid $300K

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Thornbury Meadows, Telfer Homes – thornburymeadows.ca Timberline, Batavia Homes – bataviahomes.ca Treetops at Hidden valley, Club Leisure Corporation – 1–855–784–9990

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◆

C/TH

CC 17

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◆

C

CC 18

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C

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B/TH

CC 20

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$370K

◆

◆

◆

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Mid $400K

◆

◆

◆

◆

◆

Windfall Phase 2 in Blue Mountain village, Georgian International – 705.293.0954

High $400K

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ONTARIO

GOLDEN HORSESHOE

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Vistas Hillside Briar Hill – 705.435.5503

GREATER TORONTO AREA

◆

◆

◆

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C

CC 23

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TH/S/B

CC 24

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S/B/D

CC 25

COTTAGE COUNTRY nexthome.ca 33

ADVICE | INDUSTRY REPORT

CUTTING RED TAPE, BUILDING FASTER:

ONTARIO’S NEW ACT PUTS HOUSING AND JOBS FIRST

DAVE WILKES

On Oct. 23, Ontario took another important step toward tackling the housing crisis and strengthening the provincial economy. Rob Flack, minister of municipal affairs and housing, introduced Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 – an omnibus bill aimed at cutting red tape, speeding up housing approvals and supporting the construction of the homes and infrastructure Ontario urgently needs.

This legislation builds on the momentum of Bill 17, the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025, introduced earlier this year, and represents a direct response to the challenges faced by the building and development industry across the province. It is also a clear recognition by the provincial government that housing supply and affordability depend on an efficient regulatory environment, timely approvals and fair, transparent cost structures.

At its core, the new act protects Ontario’s economy by keeping workers on the job and getting shovels in the ground faster. It reflects the need to lower the cost to build, reduce bureaucratic delays and improve infrastructure planning and delivery.

Bill 60 focuses on several priorities, including: Accelerating development near transit-oriented communities, helping to bring more homes, businesses and 34 Active Life | WINTER 2025

amenities closer to where people live and work while maximizing the investment made in transit infrastructure.

Establishing a Peel water and wastewater corporation as a potential new model for how these services are provided in Ontario. This builds on key learning from other jurisdictions that fund water and wastewater in a different way, enabling the infrastructure while not inflating the cost of new homes. If successful, this will be a critical step in finding new ways to fund growth more sustainably by launching a review of the Ontario Building Code to discover and eliminate additional unnecessary regulatory barriers that add costs.

It will clarify which minor variances might qualify as as-of-right, simplifying approvals for small, low-impact projects and certainly making life simpler for homeowners looking to add a deck or add a small addition.

It will consult on reforms to streamline official plans, municipal application processes and Green standards as they relate to site plan control – addressing issues that result in costly delays or directly add construction costs. Furthermore, the act takes large steps to modernize development charges (DCs), which remain one of the largest and most onerous costs in new home construction. Specifically, regarding DCs, it will: Provide clear direction on how to calculate who pays for what – newhome buyers or the existing tax base – based on who benefits the most.

It will require municipalities to develop local service policies –

policies that identify which costs in a new development are the obligation of the new development or the municipality.

Provide direction on how DCs are calculated to remove some elements that have distorted DCs levels in higher cost municipalities.

These measures will bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the system, ensuring that municipalities have the funds required to support growth, while preventing homebuyers from being unfairly burdened by inconsistent or inflated municipal fees.

The Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 reinforces the Ontario government’s commitment to working with municipalities and the building industry to deliver more homes, faster.

By modernizing approvals, reforming development charges and aligning infrastructure planning with growth, this legislation advances a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to housing policy. Ontario’s housing crisis is not insurmountable, but it requires focus, urgency and cooperation. The Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 embodies all three.

Dave Wilkes is President and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), the voice of the homebuilding, land development and professional renovation industry in the GTA. For the latest industry news and new home data, follow BILD on Twitter, @bildgta or visit bildgta.ca.

+MORE CONTENT ONLINE nexthome.ca

ready to

up to 50K?

5K 10K 20K 50K off off off off This promotion is for Firm Agreements of Purchase and Sale, on Quick Possession Homes closing prior to January 31st, 2026. Please contact our New Home Sales Consultants to determine the savings that would be applicable.

At home or on your phone, go to www.dougtarryhomes.com Promotion starts Friday, October 17th 2025 & ends Saturday, January 31st 2026. Some restrictions apply, contact your New Home Sales Consultant today! Prices, specifications and information subject to change without notice. E.O.E.

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