Articles from Building.ca

Oxford Properties Group has commenced construction on a $750 million rental development in Scarborough, Toronto, marking it as the area's first major purpose-built rental project in decades. The development, consisting of 1,285 units, includes affordable housing and aims to support the area's housing needs while promoting sustainability. The project, financed partly through a significant loan from CMHC, is part of Oxford's larger master plan for more than 10,000 residential units in the area. Completion is expected by summer 2029.

The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) reports ongoing challenges in the housing construction sector amid economic uncertainty, with continued pessimism regarding sales conditions. Despite government proposals like the First-Time Home Buyers’ GST Rebate, delays in implementation and legislative approval are impacting new home sales and construction, especially in major markets like Ontario and British Columbia. Builders are expressing concerns over the sustainability of their businesses due to affordability issues, high construction costs, and reduced consumer confidence. CHBA emphasizes the need for comprehensive government policies and innovative construction solutions to address the housing supply and affordability crisis.

Investment in Ontario's ICI building construction sector increased by 17% year-over-year in Q1, according to OCS. The institutional sector showed the highest growth, with medical facilities, transportation, and educational buildings leading the way. Notable projects include the Windsor Acute Care Hospital and expansions in Thunder Bay and Barrie. Infrastructure investment also rose sharply in the transportation and utilities sector, particularly in Oshawa, London, and Ottawa.

The Ontario government is proposing changes to accelerate the construction of Skills Development Fund training centres to help workers affected by economic challenges such as U.S. tariffs. The initiative aims to cut red tape and facilitate quicker development of these facilities by exempting them from certain permit requirements. Additional measures include improving job posting transparency and reducing barriers for implementing health and safety systems. These efforts are part of Ontario's strategy to protect workers and boost the province's competitiveness.

Ontario will require certain construction sites to have automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) as part of new legislative amendments. This requirement will apply to sites expected to last over three months with at least 20 workers. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board will reimburse companies for the AED cost, anticipated to be around $2,300. Industry stakeholders, like RESCON, support this move, asserting it will save lives.

Amid tariff tensions between the United States and Canada that are exacerbating the housing crisis by increasing construction costs, Canada sees an opportunity to revamp its housing strategy through modular and prefabricated construction. Factory-built housing is not only faster and less expensive but also environmentally friendly, suggesting a sustainable way to meet urgent housing needs. Canadian initiatives like the Rapid Housing Initiative have shown success in scaling modular housing, and future plans include expanded funding and support from both federal and provincial levels. A global alliance on modular housing could emerge as a result, addressing both domestic needs and supporting international collaboration.