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This month’s industry updates reflect continued efforts across the Greater Golden Horseshoe’s housing and development sectors to address affordability, supply, and long-term market confidence, alongside a busy calendar of conferences, training programs, and industry events. New details surrounding the Province’s expanded HST relief measures, combined with fresh polling data commissioned by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, point to growing public pressure for policies that improve access to market-rate housing and restore confidence among prospective homebuyers. At the same time, updated market statistics from Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) suggest spring sales activity is strengthening amid tightening listing conditions, while organizations including Building Industry and Land Development Association (BIILD) and Urban Land Institute (ULI) Toronto continue to advance advocacy, professional development, and leadership initiatives across the industry.
Announcements
CHBA-Abacus Survey Highlights Declining Confidence in Housing Affordability
New research conducted by Abacus Data for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association suggests growing concern among Canadians about housing affordability and whether governments have a credible plan to address it. The survey found strong demand for homeownership remains across all age groups, though confidence in achieving it has weakened substantially, particularly among middle-income households who increasingly feel priced out of the market. Respondents also expressed broad support for measures such as GST/HST relief on new homes, lower development charges, and policies aimed at increasing overall housing supply, while many indicated current federal housing efforts have not gone far enough to improve affordability or restore confidence in the market.
ULI Toronto Announces New Leadership Team Beginning July 2026
ULI Toronto has announced a new slate of executive appointments to its Management Committee, with Kristy Shortall of Northcrest Developments set to become Chair beginning July 1, 2026. Signe Leisk of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP will serve as Vice Chair, while Ossie Airewele of BDP Quadrangle joins the executive leadership team as Chair of Mission Advancement, supporting the organization’s strategic priorities and programming initiatives. The appointments come as ULI Toronto continues to expand its role in convening public- and private-sector leaders around issues including housing affordability, development approvals, and regional growth across the GTA.
TRREB Reports Stronger April Sales Activity Amid Tightening Market Conditions
TRREB reported 5,946 home sales across the Greater Toronto Area in April, 2026, representing a 7% increase compared to the same month last year, while new listings declined 9.3% year-over-year to 17,097 properties. The combination of rising sales activity and fewer listings suggests market conditions tightened through the first full month of the spring market, though buyers continued to benefit from lower average selling prices and improved borrowing conditions compared to 2025. TRREB also pointed to ongoing housing policy discussions surrounding municipal approvals, development charges, and housing supply constraints, as the organization released a new policy report focused on reducing barriers to residential development across Ontario.
Ontario Releases Details on Expanded HST Relief for New Homes
The Ontario government has published additional details outlining how its temporary HST relief program for new homes and purpose-built rental housing would function under the 2026 Budget framework. The proposed enhancements would increase provincial HST rebates to as much as $80,000 for eligible homes and rental units valued up to $1.5M, while introducing scaled relief for projects valued up to $1.85M and expanding eligibility across ownership, rental, and co-operative housing formats. The measures are intended to stimulate housing construction and improve affordability by lowering upfront costs for buyers and developers, with eligibility tied to specific construction and purchase timelines running through the end of the decade.
Construction Completed on Major DSV Logistics Hub in Innisfil
Ware Malcomb has announced the completion of a new 1.3 million ft² logistics and distribution complex for DSV in Innisfil, representing the company’s largest multi-client facility in Canada. Designed by Ware Malcomb and delivered through a design-build partnership with Broccolini, the project includes a large-scale warehouse facility alongside a two-storey, 40,000 ft² corporate office featuring collaborative workspaces, training areas, and direct visual connections to warehouse operations. Positioned on a 55-acre site, the development incorporates sustainability-focused features including rooftop solar panels, LED lighting, EV charging infrastructure, and design measures targeting potential LEED certification.
Events & Awards
Doors Open Toronto Reveals Full 2026 Program Lineup
The City of Toronto has released the full program for Doors Open Toronto 2026, which will take place May 23 and 24 with more than 160 buildings, tours, and special events participating across the city. This year’s “World in a City” theme highlights Toronto’s cultural diversity through architecture, heritage sites, workplaces, and community spaces, while new additions include locations such as Netflix Canada, the Toronto Star, TVO Studios, and 25 Ookwemin Street. The event will also feature guided neighbourhood tours, panel discussions, and programming at Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square, alongside access to many of the city’s most recognizable public and heritage buildings.
OHBA to Host Queen’s Park Day Advocacy Event
The Ontario Home Builders’ Association will host its annual Queen’s Park Day on May 25, 2026, bringing together board members, chapter chairs, and executive officers for meetings with provincial decision-makers in Toronto. The event is focused on advancing industry priorities related to housing policy, regulatory reform, and barriers affecting residential development and housing supply across Ontario.
Land & Development Conference Returns to Toronto in May
The annual Land & Development Conference will return to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on May 27, 2026, bringing together developers, investors, planners, consultants, and government representatives involved in shaping growth across the region. The event is expected to focus on issues including zoning, infrastructure delivery, investment trends, and the evolving policy environment influencing land development across Ontario and beyond. Organized as a major networking and knowledge-sharing forum for the industry, the conference will feature discussions aimed at addressing current market challenges and opportunities tied to future community growth.
BILD Awards Gala Returns to Vaughan This May
The Building Industry and Land Development Association will host the 2026 BILD Awards on May 28 at Universal Event Space in Vaughan, bringing together industry professionals to recognize achievements in design, construction, sales, and marketing across the Greater Toronto Area. Running since 1980, the annual awards program remains one of the industry’s highest-profile recognition events, celebrating projects and teams across multiple sectors of the homebuilding and development industry. The evening will include networking opportunities, formal presentations, and the announcement of this year’s award winners, with attendance limited to BILD members and industry guests.
CHBA to Host Adaptive Home Renovation Training Course
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association will host its Adaptiv Home Renovation Course online from June 9 to 10, 2026, offering training focused on aging-in-place design and accessible residential renovations. Targeted toward renovators, designers, architects, and contractors, the course will cover topics including accessibility standards, barrier-free design elements, home automation systems, and occupant health and safety considerations. Participants will also receive guidance on client communication, legal and insurance issues, and other professional practices tied to the growing demand for adaptive housing solutions across Canada.
BILD to Host Renovator and Custom Builder Town Hall
BILD will host its next Renovator & Custom Builder Town Hall on June 18, 2026, at Euro Tile & Stone in Toronto, bringing together renovators, custom builders, and industry professionals for a discussion-focused networking event. The session will feature an open Q&A led by Renovator Executive Chair Dwayne Butler, alongside presentations on building science, operational efficiency, and new product innovations relevant to residential construction and renovation work. Industry expert Gord Cooke of Building Knowledge Canada is scheduled to deliver a keynote focused on applying building science principles to improve performance and reduce long-term operating costs in housing projects.
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