Ontario Construction News staff writer
Despite a cooling housing market and mounting economic uncertainty, Premier Doug Ford insists his government can still meet its ambitious goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031.
That commitment—reaffirmed by Ontario’s newly appointed Housing Minister Rob Flack—was one takeaway from Tuesday’s throne speech. Flack said the goal remains achievable, despite “headwinds” like new tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, rising interest rates, and broader economic challenges.
“Sure it is,” Flack said when asked by reporters. “We’ve got lots of time.”
Ontario builders respond to Ford government’s housing reform focus in Throne Speech
Delivered by Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont, the speech marked the opening of a new legislative session and laid out an agenda, focusing on the theme of economic resilience and warning that Ontario can no longer rely on its trading relationship with the United States.
“The strength of Ontario’s economy and the social programs it funds can no longer depend on a partner that has proven itself to be fundamentally unreliable,” the speech read. “Your government will build an economy that is more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant.”
Trump’s imposition of new tariffs on Canadian goods have cast a long shadow over Ontario’s economic planning, with the speech tying the trade threat to nearly every sector—from mining and manufacturing to infrastructure and housing.
To help lessen the impact, the Ford government is promising to break down internal trade barriers. Its first bill will focus on interprovincial trade, allowing goods and services—and skilled workers—to move more freely across Canada.
Legislation is expected to be introduced with new powers to fast-track mining developments in critical mineral-rich regions like the Ring of Fire. Designated as regions of “strategic importance,” these areas would see accelerated permitting and approval processes, so long as environmental and consultation standards are met.
On infrastructure, the Ford government reiterated its commitment to large-scale transportation and energy projects—including new pipelines and an as-yet-unpriced tunnel under Highway 401 to ease GTA traffic congestion.
With a goal to ramp up housing-enabling infrastructure, standardize development timelines, and work with municipalities to lower costs, the government also promised new tools to help municipalities dismantle homeless encampments, reintroducing legislation that had stalled at the end of the last session.
However, Ontario has yet to meet any of its annual targets, and recent Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data shows housing starts in March were down 46 per cent year over year in communities of 10,000 or more people.
“Obviously, we’ve come to a grind,” Flack said. “But there’s going to be swings here.”
