Ontario Construction News staff writer
Federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson and Secretary of State for Labour John Zerucelli met recently with leaders from Ontario’s homebuilding sector to discuss urgent issues facing the residential construction industry and its potential impact on the broader economy.
The roundtable, hosted by the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), followed a tour of the H+ME Technology Plant in Etobicoke. Industry representatives, staff and RESCON board members joined the conversation, which focused on strategies to boost housing supply and accelerate the adoption of technology in construction.
Discussions included the need to scale up both property technology (PropTech) and construction technology (ConTech), as well as to advance offsite construction methods to increase housing production and delivery.
“Immediate bold and concerted action is needed to get more shovels in the ground for housing projects,” said RESCON president Richard Lyall. “The residential construction industry is in dire straits and new housing starts and sales are grim. We need to lower development charges, reduce red tape which only adds to approval timelines, and speed up the approvals process. Without a healthy residential construction industry our economy will suffer.”
Lyall warned that a continued downturn in homebuilding could ripple across Ontario’s economy. He noted that a 30 per cent decline in residential construction activity could result in 121,500 job losses. A 50 per cent decline could lead to 202,500 job losses, while an 80 per cent reduction would push the figure to 324,000.
“The entire economy of Ontario would feel the effects of such an industry employment decline,” said Lyall. “Industries that supply the new home market with everything from lumber to drywall and windows would also be affected. A decline in the construction workforce would result in hardship for many families. It is critical that we take swift action to boost homebuilding in Ontario.”
