Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Applications are now open for the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP), an $8.8-billion federal-provincial initiative that provides infrastructure funding to municipalities that slash development charges.

The Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) is strongly urging the City of Ottawa to apply before the June 19 deadline, noting that development charges (DCs) in the city have increased by more than 30 per cent inside the greenbelt and more than 25 per cent outside the greenbelt over the past two and a half years.

“This is exactly the kind of leadership and partnership needed to address Ontario’s housing supply crisis,” GOHBA executive director Jason Burggraaf said in a June 2 statement. “For years, GOHBA has advocated that the government at all levels needs to tackle rising infrastructure costs. This announcement recognizes that reality and provides municipalities with a practical path to reduce those costs while continuing to invest in critical infrastructure.”

Under the DCRP, the federal and provincial governments will cost-match funding for housing-enabling infrastructure projects over 10 years. To qualify, municipalities must reduce DCs for all residential types by 30 to 50 per cent or greater and maintain those reductions for at least three years. The combined federal-provincial contribution funds 90 per cent of the reduction, with the municipality funding the remaining 10 per cent.

Cutting DCs in half in Ottawa would return them to 2016 rates, immediately improving project viability, making housing more affordable and helping to deliver more homes faster, according to GOHBA.

“We strongly urge the City of Ottawa to move immediately to get funding from the new agreement, cut its DCs, and build the infrastructure that will support new housing supply,” Burggraaf said. “We look forward to working with the City of Ottawa to ensure this opportunity translates into more homes, more housing choice and improved affordability for Ottawa residents.”

The funding stems from the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, announced in March 2026. The program aims to accelerate infrastructure projects to lower the cost of new homes. Of Ontario’s 444 municipalities, more than 200 currently levy development charges.

“The Development Charge Reduction Program will make a life-changing difference for families in municipalities across Ontario by lowering the cost of new homes by tens of thousands of dollars,” said Rob Flack, Ontario’s minister of municipal affairs and housing. “Along with the HST relief announced in Ontario’s 2026 budget, this program will make homes across the province more affordable.”

Flack encouraged municipal leaders to work with the province to reduce DCs to “get more shovels in the ground and keep the dream of homeownership alive in Ontario.”

Applications, which opened June 1, will be assessed based on the percentage of the committed DC rate reduction, the number of homes projected to be built as a result of the relief, and the municipality’s financial contribution. Priority will be given to housing-enabling projects based on the number of homes they support.

The program has drawn widespread support from construction industry leaders across the province.

Scott Anderson, CEO of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA), said in a statement that builders look forward to working with municipalities to build more affordable homes.

“The sooner municipalities can begin reducing development charges across all home types and make new projects viable, the sooner builders get more homes built,” he said.

David Wilkes, president and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), called the initiative historic.

“Lowering development charges will help address the economic viability challenges that has stalled housing development across the GTA in recent years,” Wilkes said in the news release. “Through this initiative, municipalities and industry working in partnership can accelerate shovel-ready communities while ensuring that the building and development industry continues to provide well-paying jobs and is an engine of economic growth.”

Dani Gabriele, chair of the West End Home Builders Association, noted that the industry is finally seeing coordinated government action that can genuinely restart housing supply.

“The combination of HST relief and meaningful infrastructure and development charge support has the potential to improve project viability, support affordability, and help get shovels back in the ground,” she said, adding that local governments must work alongside the province and Ottawa to create conditions that support housing construction.

Patrick McManus, executive director of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association, highlighted the necessity of infrastructure investments to manage growth.

“Support for both large-scale housing infrastructure projects and targeted funding for small and rural municipalities will help move these projects forward while creating and sustaining skilled trades jobs across Ontario,” McManus said in the statement.

The post Ottawa builders urge city to tap into new $8.8B development charge reduction fund appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Thousands of Canadians took steps toward safer workplaces during May, helping Steps for Life raise more than $1 million for the fourth consecutive year.

The milestone was celebrated during a special wrap-up episode of Steps That Matter, the official podcast of Threads of Life, with hosts Eugene Gutierrez, Executive Director and Heather Lyle, National Manager, are joined by Sarah Wheelan, Communications Coordinator, to discuss big milestones and stories from the 2026 Steps for Life fundraising walks that happened earlier this month.

Wheelan also shared her personal milestone, running 20 kilometres to celebrate 20 years of participating in Steps for Life, and honouring her late brother, Lewis.

To watch the full episode, click here:

Across Canada, participants gathered in communities large and small, creating what organizers describe as a “sea of yellow” as walkers donned the event’s signature safety-coloured shirts. More than a visual symbol, the shirts represent a shared commitment to supporting families impacted by workplace fatalities, life-altering injuries and occupational diseases.

The post Steps for Life fundraising campaign surpasses $1 million again as Canadians walk for workplace safety appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Construction and design professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of architectural wood have a unique hands-on educational opportunity coming up in Ottawa  next month.

The Ottawa chapter of Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) is hosting an in-person continuing education seminar, “Specifying Wood with Confidence,” on Wednesday, June 3.

The event, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will be held at Heritage Grade Woodwork at 2280 Stevenage Dr.

Designed to help the industry confidently specify wood in architectural applications, the collaborative session brings together experts from Heritage Grade, Upper Canada Forest Products (UFP), and the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC).

The seminar will cover essential topics to strengthen material specification expertise, including:

• Wood species, cuts, and grading
• Veneers and sheet products
• Specification best practices

The session will also feature an in-depth segment on the restoration and rehabilitation of historic woodwork. This portion will draw on the latest AWMAC North American Architectural Woodwork Standards (NAAWS) Guide, specifically addressing Section 3 (Lumber), Section 4 (Sheet Products), and Section 12 (Historic Restoration).

Featured speakers for the event include Laurie Suikki, AWMAC Ontario chapter manager; Mark Paddison, retired program director of Humber College Cabinetmaking; and Sam Pollock, lead at Heritage Grade Woodwork.

Following the educational session, attendees will receive an exclusive guided tour of Heritage Grade’s workshop. The event also includes networking opportunities with industry peers and a complimentary boxed lunch provided by Chef Ric’s.

Attendees can drive directly to the workshop or take advantage of optional transportation via a limousine service. Those interested in coordinating the shuttle service can contact Maria Cristina Villalba, CSC Ottawa events officer, at ma************@****sh.com.

Registration is $60 for CSC members and $85 for non-members, plus applicable fees. Space is highly limited, with a maximum capacity of 24 attendees.

Those interested in attending must register by May 31. For more information or to secure a spot, professionals can visit the event’s page on Eventbrite.

The post CSC Ottawa to host seminar and workshop tour on specifying architectural wood appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

New home sales in Ottawa surged in April, driven largely by recent expansions to new home tax relief, according to the latest data from the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) and PMA Brethour Realty Group.

The region recorded 744 new home sales, representing a staggering 203.7 per cent increase from the 245 homes sold in April 2025. April’s totals also mark a 164.8 per cent jump from March, which saw just 281 sales.

Year-to-date sales now stand at 1,558, up 41.3 per cent compared to the 1,103 homes sold during the same period last year.

“This month’s sales activity clearly demonstrates how directly policy decisions can influence housing markets,” GOHBA executive director Jason Burggraaf said in a statement. “The expansion of sales tax relief to all new home buyers has helped restore confidence in the market and encouraged many buyers who had been waiting on the sidelines to act.”

Burggraaf added that the robust spring figures are proof that “meaningful policy reform can directly support housing activity, improve affordability, and help get more homes built.”

Geographically, Ottawa’s south end led the region in April, accounting for 41 per cent of all new home sales. The west end followed closely at 37 per cent, while the east end captured 20 per cent of the market. Central Ottawa made up the remaining three per cent.

When breaking down by housing type, townhomes maintained a steady stronghold on the market, accounting for half of all sales (50 per cent). Single-detached homes saw a 16 per cent increase from March to capture 46 per cent of April’s sales activity. The remainder of the month’s sales were divided between condo townhomes and condo apartments.

The monthly report is published in partnership between GOHBA and PMA Brethour Realty Group to provide market data on local housing activity in the nation’s capital.

The post Expanded tax relief fuels massive spike in Ottawa new home sales in April appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Ontario Construction News is marking its 7th anniversary as the trusted Canadian platform for construction industry advertising, news coverage, and sector celebrations, continuing to serve as a leading choice for companies looking to reach a targeted construction audience.

Over the past seven years, the publication has expanded its services to better support advertisers across Canada, offering streamlined tools and improved digital functionality for submitting construction service postings (CSPs) growing to over 12,000 daily subscribers and over 200,000 active site users.

As part of its newest upgrade, Ontario Construction News has introduced a new online Preview and Approval feature within its online CSP ordering system. After users input their data and upload required forms, they can now review all submitted information in full before moving forward.

Once the details have been verified, users are prompted to confirm accuracy by checking the box:
“I agree that the details above are correct and ready for publication.”

They can then proceed by clicking “Confirm & Proceed to Checkout”, which takes them directly to the payment and checkout page.

Katherine Jeffrey, office manager at Ontario Construction News, says the improvement is designed to enhance accuracy and user confidence in the submission process.

“This new preview step gives our advertisers a chance to double-check everything before it goes live,” said Jeffreys. “It’s a simple but important enhancement that helps ensure accuracy and makes the ordering process smoother for our clients.”

In addition to the new feature, Ontario Construction News reminds advertisers that the office is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., supporting next-business-day publishing for submitted content.

The organization says the continued upgrades reflect its commitment to providing efficient, reliable, and industry-focused advertising services as it enters its eighth year serving Canada’s construction sector while also being the leading customer service provider for response time, follow up and accessible staff.

The post Ontario Construction News celebrates 7th anniversary with enhanced CSP ordering feature appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Ontario Construction News staff writer

The Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) is raising concerns about new data showing that more families with children are moving out of the City of Ottawa and into surrounding municipalities, as affordability and housing mix continue to shape regional population shifts.

The association said intra-provincial migration trends indicate Ottawa is increasingly losing households seeking ground-oriented, family-friendly housing, even as the broader region continues to attract new residents from elsewhere in Ontario.

“Over the past year, the City of Ottawa has made meaningful progress to streamline and improve its development approvals process, with the goal of becoming the most housing-friendly city in the country,” said GOHBA executive director Jason Burggraaf. “While the market has been stuck in a very long period of low activity, it is critical that the City remain committed to these reforms.”

Burggraaf said the improvements to approvals processes will be essential when housing demand rebounds, allowing construction activity to scale more quickly.

New analysis from the Missing Middle Initiative suggests Ottawa has been losing families with children to surrounding communities over the past decade, despite continued regional population growth.

“While the region as a whole continues to gain people from elsewhere in Ontario, a growing share are choosing communities outside Ottawa’s municipal boundaries in search of more suitable and affordable housing,” said Mike Moffatt, founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative.

The data also points to diverging demographic trends within the region.

“The City of Ottawa itself is losing kids and mid-to-late career professionals, while gaining large numbers of college-age adults and, to a lesser extent, early career professionals,” Moffatt said. “Communities surrounding Ottawa are attracting more kids and late-career professionals, while also gaining residents across all age groups.”

The concerns come as multiple levels of government advance housing policy measures aimed at increasing supply and reducing development costs.

Recent initiatives include Ontario’s Bill 98, which focuses on accelerating home construction, and the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, which aims to reduce development charges. The province has also approved Official Plan Amendment 46 for Ottawa and urged the city to address gaps between municipal and provincial growth projections.

A joint meeting of Ottawa’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee and Planning and Housing Committee is scheduled for May 5, 2026, to review progress on the city’s Housing Acceleration Plan.

GOHBA is urging the City of Ottawa to maintain its focus on housing affordability and continue working with provincial and federal partners to lower the cost of new housing supply.

The association said increasing the availability of family-oriented housing within city boundaries will be key to reversing outward migration trends.

“More and more growing families are moving outside the City to find the type of housing they want,” Burggraaf said. “They are telling us with their actions that Ottawa needs to meet that market demand for ground-oriented, family-friendly homes, or we’ll continue to lose young families.”

The post GOHBA warns Ottawa losing families to surrounding communities amid housing gap appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) has announced the winners of its 2026 Design Excellence Awards and Service Awards, recognizing projects, practices and individuals that demonstrate innovation, sustainability and community impact.

The awards will be celebrated next month at the OAA Conference, Collaboration Powering Innovation, in the Waterloo Region.

The biennial Design Excellence Awards program highlights the work of Ontario architectural practices across a wide range of sectors and geographies. This year’s winners include projects spanning community centres, housing, academic and cultural facilities, and public spaces.

A jury selected 10 winning projects from 96 submissions, narrowing the field to 20 finalists. Entries were evaluated based on creativity, context, sustainability, good design and business practices, and long-term legacy. All submissions were also required to include Energy Use Intensity (EUI) metrics, reflecting the OAA’s emphasis on environmentally responsible design.

“The 2026 Design Excellence Awards showcase exciting examples of the quality work being performed by members of Ontario’s architecture profession, as well as the clear impact our built spaces can have on our communities,” said OAA president Lara McKendrick. “By mandating the submission of Energy Use Intensity metrics for all candidates, the OAA is pleased to actively advance climate stability and ensure sustainable design remains a core priority for the profession.”

The public can vote for a People’s Choice Award from among the winners, with online voting open until April 22.

The 2026 Design Excellence Award winners are:

• Angle of Repose (Algonquin Highlands, Ont.) by Reasonable Projects Inc.
• Beaverton Heights Modular Transitional Housing (Beaverton, Ont.) by Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc.
• Carmen Corbasson Community Centre (Mississauga, Ont.) by Diamond Schmitt Architects
• Kìwekì Point (Ottawa, Ont.) by Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc. and Patkau Architects Inc.
• Koffler Scientific Reserve (Toronto, Ont.) by Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc.
• Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, University of Toronto (Toronto, Ont.) by Weiss/Manfredi and Teeple Architects
• The Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum (Burnaby, B.C.) by Hariri Pontarini Architects and Iredale Architecture
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Headquarters (Toronto, Ont.) by Bucholz McEvoy Architects Ltd. and ZAS Architects Inc.
• Toronto Public Library – Bridlewood Branch (Toronto, Ont.) by Ken Fukushima Architecture in association with David Fujiwara Architect

The OAA regulates the practice of architecture in Ontario in the public interest and uses its awards program to promote the role of architecture in shaping communities across the province.

The post OAA honours 2026 Design Excellence Award winners across Ontario appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) marked its 75th anniversary during its Annual General Meeting last Wednesday (April 8), an event highlighted by robust financial results, industry awards, and a special proclamation from Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

The meeting, held at the Saint Elias Banquet Centre, brought together builders, developers, renovators, and industry partners for what GOHBA executive director Jason Burggraaf described as the largest AGM in recent history.

Mayor Sutcliffe opened his address by praising the association’s tremendous growth, noting that its membership has increased by 67 per cent since 2021. To honour the association’s long-standing impact on the city, Sutcliffe officially proclaimed April 8, as “Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association Day”.

“About 26% of all new multi-residential housing in Ontario is being built right here in Ottawa,” Sutcliffe said. “More than a quarter of all multi-residential is happening here in Ottawa, even though we represent 7% of the population in the province.”

Sutcliffe also emphasized the city’s commitment to addressing homelessness and speeding up housing initiatives. The city has passed a motion to accelerate the construction of 550 supportive housing units, reducing the target timeline from 10 years to five years. Additionally, Sutcliffe shared that Ottawa is the first city in Canada to reach an agreement in principle with the new federal agency, Build Canada Homes, to construct 3,000 housing units, the majority of which will be affordable.

On the financial front, GOHBA is reporting its fifth consecutive year of financial growth and security. For the fiscal year ending Oct. 31, 2025, the association posted an operating net surplus of just over $168,000. This was driven almost exclusively by the success of GOHBA’s special events, which generated nearly $463,000 in net revenue.

The approved 2026 budget projects a stable membership base of 453 members and will hold membership fees at the same level as 2025. Recognizing the rapid growth of its event programming, the association has also invested in expanding its staff complement with a new permanent head of events.

The AGM also served as an occasion to honour members who have made exceptional contributions to the industry and the broader community, with over 30 nominations received this year.

The 2026 GOHBA Award winners are:

All-Star New Member Contributor: Mike Dambra from Dambra Flooring was honoured for his exceptional dedication and meaningful contributions within his first two years of involvement.

Philanthropy Award: Jenny Chen was recognized for her leadership, philanthropy, and commitment to inclusion that has strengthened both the industry and the community.

Outstanding Company Contribution: Reliance Holmes Heating and Cooling received the award for going above and beyond in advancing the industry, supporting employees, and demonstrating social responsibility.

Pillar of the Community: Candy King from Urbandale Construction was celebrated for her steadfast leadership and lasting impact over 22 years of building major Ottawa communities.

Visionary Leadership Award: Rosaline Hill, Principal Architect, Senior Planner, Development Consultant at RJH Architecture and Planning, was honoured for her significant impact in advocacy and residential infill, driving practical, solution-oriented improvements across the industry and the city.

Lifetime Achievement: Paul Scissons received this prestigious honour for his leadership, advocacy, and commitment to advancing professional renovation, notably through his work strengthening member engagement with Ottawa Renovates magazine for more than a decade.

Closing the formal business, Board chair Serge Desjardins reflected on the association’s recent successes, which included advocating for one of the largest housing tax breaks in recent history.

“Together, we have a responsibility to ensure that Ottawa remains a vibrant city where housing development meets the needs of our residents,” Desjardins said. Moving into 2026, the board plans to continue prioritizing member engagement, strategic planning, policy advocacy, and community impact.

The post Ottawa Mayor Sutcliffe proclaims ‘GOHBA Day’ as association celebrates 75th Anniversary at 2026 AGM appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) is looking to expand its eastern Ontario operations, launching a recruitment drive for a new provincial representative based in its Ottawa member centre.

The position, based out of the union’s office at 38 Antares Dr. in Nepean, will see the successful candidate take on a multifaceted role as a lead advocate for employees in CLAC-unionized workplaces across the region.

According to the job posting, the provincial representative will be responsible for the full spectrum of labour relations, including collective bargaining, grievance handling, and the training of workplace stewards.

Unlike traditional trade unions, CLAC operates on a “wall-to-wall” multi-sector model, meaning the new representative will likely oversee diverse bargaining units ranging from construction and maintenance to healthcare and service sectors.

The role carries significant legal and administrative weight. Key duties include enforcing employment rights, navigating the Labour Relations Board (LRB) application process, and conducting all facets of collective agreement negotiations—from collecting member proposals to presenting final contracts for ratification.

CLAC, which remains independent of the Canadian Labour Congress, emphasizes a “partnership model” of labour relations. The organization notes that the provincial representative is expected to resolve workplace issues with a view toward reducing conflict and promoting stability on the job site.

The union is seeking candidates with a firm grasp of labour and employment law, as well as an “intimate familiarity” with provincial labour legislation and arbitral jurisprudence.

The hiring process for the Ottawa post reflects the union’s rigorous standard for field staff; new hires typically undergo a year-long probationary period featuring regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure they can handle what the union describes as the “rough and tumble” of labour relations.

In addition to member advocacy, the representative will also be tasked with “solidarity work,” aimed at expanding CLAC’s presence in the Ottawa area through local initiatives and the organizing of new groups of workers.

Qualified applicants are expected to have strong public speaking skills and the ability to address media inquiries regarding union policy.

Interested parties can find more information or apply through the union’s career portal at clac.ca.

The post CLAC seeking new provincial representative for Ottawa member centre appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

In a move designed to protect the financial viability of new housing projects, Ottawa’s Planning and Housing Committee has approved a framework that implements “inclusionary zoning” while setting the initial requirement for affordable units at zero per cent.

The decision allows the city to check a box required for federal funding under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) without immediately imposing new costs on developers that city staff warn could stall construction during an ongoing housing crisis.

Under the new framework, developers of large residential projects near major transit stations will eventually be required to set aside a portion of units as affordable. However, a mid-2025 housing market assessment for Ottawa concluded that current conditions make such mandates economically unfeasible.

“While the intent of the policy is to ensure that affordable units are being constructed near transit, the costs associated with inclusionary zoning are borne by increasing costs on market units,” a city release stated following the meeting. “In the context of high housing costs, inclusionary zoning could have the unintended consequence of rendering some transit-oriented developments unviable.”

By establishing the framework with a zero-per-cent “set-aside rate,” the city creates the legal infrastructure to mandate affordable units in the future without triggering an immediate slowdown in the current market.

The move was welcomed by industry advocates who have long argued that inclusionary zoning functions as a “tax on development” that ultimately raises prices for the other 90 to 95 per cent of units in a building.

The Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) has consistently urged the city to avoid policies that compromise project feasibility. Executive Director Jason Burggraaf has previously noted that “transformative changes” are needed to hit housing targets, emphasizing that “Ottawa has the opportunity to be an example of progressive leadership” by focusing on supply rather than adding regulatory hurdles.

The committee also moved to streamline the development process by making the Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP) reporting more flexible. The committee approved removing the requirement for an associated UDRP report as part of a “completed” development application. Instead, recommendations will be posted online during the formal review process, a change aimed at preventing design discussions from delaying the start of the application clock.

Key technical details of the approved inclusionary zoning framework include:

• Affordability definition: Aligns with provincial standards—the lesser of average market rent or shelter costs for middle-income households for rentals, and 90 per cent of average market purchase price for ownership.
• Duration: Units must remain affordable for at least 25 years.
• Next Steps: The city plans to conduct a fresh housing market assessment and updated needs analysis by the second quarter of 2028 before considering an increase to the set-aside rate. Detailed implementation guidelines are expected by mid-2027.

The post Ottawa takes ‘market-based’ leap with zero-per-cent inclusionary zoning appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.