The Ontario Home Builders Association (OHBA) appreciates the provincial government for taking the first step towards providing real relief for both home builders and consumers with today’s announcement of the removal of the 8% PST for first-time home buyers on new homes valued up to $1 million.
For too long, families have not been able to purchase homes, as the prices required for builders to cover their costs have been unaffordable to the average consumer. Both the federal and provincial governments have recognized that the fees and taxes collected by government, roughly 36%, are a barrier to home ownership, to increased home construction and represent a significant part of the affordability crisis. This announcement is a necessary step in recognizing an important component of Ontario’s housing challenges.
Provincial estimates indicate that the measures announced today could provide first-time home buyers with as much as $80,000 in provincial tax relief, increasing to $130,000 when combined with the proposed federal rebate.
Without this stimulus, 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in our industry are at risk. While a partial PST exemption could prompt some renewed construction activity and signal a return of momentum, Ontario’s housing economy won’t fully rebound without broader, more comprehensive policy support that restores builder confidence and investment capacity, to generate the kind of stimulus Ontario’s housing sector urgently needs.
OHBA and our federal and local counterparts have advocated relentlessly for meaningful tax reduction to improve housing affordability. We recognize that the number of first-time home buyers in the province is a very small segment of the population - less than 5%.
This announcement is a move in the right direction and a good start, but OHBA and our local members will continue to call on the province to remove the 8% PST from all new home purchases to provide the residential construction industry the stimulus it desperately needs and to truly make new home prices more affordable.
We will be monitoring the outcomes of this initiative in collaboration with the government and will continue to provide our best advice on how to deliver the broader stimulus Ontario’s housing market desperately needs.
For all policy inquiries, please contact Kirstin Jensen, Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Relationships at (647) 888-2792 or kjensen@ohba.ca
The Government of Ontario introduced legislation titled the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 (Bill 60), which is designed to accelerate housing approvals, strengthen infrastructure delivery and reduce processing bottlenecks across municipalities.
The legislation builds on previous reform efforts stemming from the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act (Bill 17) introduced on May 12, 2025, by introducing more than 40 initiatives across three strategic themes: building homes and communities, improving the operations of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) and keeping people moving.
For industry stakeholders like OHBA members, this bill signals a continued recognition of the need to address red tape, identify additional opportunities for streamlining, create standardization, all necessary to deliver the homes Ontario needs.
The Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 introduces a series of practical measures aimed at cutting red tape, improving consistency across municipalities, and unlocking the delivery of homes and infrastructure faster. If passed, the legislation would:
Below are a further breakdown of the key sections and their related items as reflected in the government’s technical briefing tables, linked at the end of this member release (pages 6-10; 13-15; 17-19 of the deck).
This bill is comprised of more than 40 initiatives to create conditions for accelerated development of housing and transportation infrastructure and cut red tape under three themes:
Building Homes & Communities
This section centres on accelerating housing supply, improving planning and approvals, and better aligning infrastructure with growth.
Key initiatives include:
Fighting Delays at the Landlord & Tenant Board
Recognizing the rental market’s dependence on tribunal efficiency, Bill 60 also tackles the operation of the LTB with multiple reform items. Bill 60 includes measures to improve the efficiency and fairness of the LTB to help address the significant backlog and restore predictability to Ontario’s rental housing system. The province will expand the number of adjudicators, both permanent and part-time, to increase capacity and reduce wait times.
A new digital case-management system will modernize scheduling, document sharing, and file tracking, while an improved triage process will prioritize urgent cases such as health and safety issues, illegal evictions, and landlord hardship. The legislation also provides stronger enforcement tools for the Sheriff’s Office to ensure tribunal orders can be carried out more effectively.
To further streamline operations, the LTB will simplify forms and online filing processes and introduce plain-language communications for applicants and respondents. Finally, new service standards and public reporting will increase transparency and accountability across the system.
Keeping People Moving
To ensure housing growth is supported by infrastructure, Bill 60 includes measures to expedite transit and highway capacity, utility coordination, and municipal partnerships. Bill 60 introduces several measures to ensure Ontario’s housing growth is supported by the infrastructure needed to move people, goods, and services efficiently. The legislation includes amendments to accelerate approvals for key highway and transit projects, including priority corridors under the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act.
The province is also advancing policies to better integrate transit-oriented communities by aligning land use and station-area planning to support higher-density housing near major transit hubs. Improvements to utility coordination will require earlier engagement between builders, municipalities, and service providers to minimize construction conflicts and reduce costly delays.
To keep projects on schedule, the government will establish new municipal–provincial partnership frameworks that promote joint delivery and shared funding for critical infrastructure. Targeted traffic and safety upgrades will help ease congestion on major growth routes, while strategic corridor investments will focus on infrastructure that directly unlocks new housing opportunities across high-demand regions.
Related Consultations and Regulatory Proposals
Alongside the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 (Bill 60), the province has launched a series of Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) postings to gather feedback on complementary reforms that will shape how housing and infrastructure are delivered across Ontario.
These consultations include:
These consultations represent a significant opportunity for OHBA members to provide feedback and help shape the implementation of the government’s broader housing and infrastructure reform agenda.
Next Steps
The introduction of Bill 60 reflects a clear progression on government policies aligned with OHBA’s advocacy priorities.
Members should begin reviewing how these upcoming reforms may affect current projects, timelines, municipal relations, and partnerships. OHBA will continue to monitor the legislative and regulatory progression of Bill 60, participate in consultations, and provide detailed implementation guidance for members.
Read the Ontario Newsroom release here.
The Technical Briefing Deck can be found here. For all policy inquiries, please contact Kirstin Jensen, Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Relationships at (647) 888-2792 or kjensen@ohba.ca
We’re getting closer to the first-ever OHBA Renovators’ Summit, where top professionals from across Ontario’s residential sector will come together to explore new technologies, strategies, and ideas driving our industry forward.
Friday, November 14, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. Centre for Housing Innovation (CHI) – DMZ at TMU 10 Dundas St. E, 6th Floor, Toronto Highlights Include:
️ Only 50 tickets remaining!
Register Now!
The OHBA Renovators’ Council is seeking your feedback on a proposed Industry-Led Renovator Licensing Framework that aims to enhance professionalism and consumer confidence across Ontario’s renovation sector.
Learn more below!
Have Your Say: Renovator Licensing Feedback Survey
The Ontario Renovators’ Council has developed a draft framework outlining what an industry-led licensing system could look like, including:
The survey closes Monday November 3, 2025. Be sure to provide your feedback before then.
Take the Survey Now!
Following statutory and regulatory changes by the Province of Ontario, the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) has prepared draft natural hazards regulation mapping for public notification. You are invited to view the draft mapping at this website and by selecting the relevant map links: www.cloca.com/draft-regulation-area-mapping. You may also reach out to us at mappingupdate@cloca.com if you have any questions regarding the draft mapping.
Mapping of areas that could be unsafe for people and property in the event of a flooding or erosion emergency across the watershed is a mandatory service that CLOCA provides in accordance with provincial regulations.
The Ministry of Natural Resources previously held a consultation on the regulatory changes on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Details regarding the provincial consultation are available here: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-2927
On April 1, 2024, the province enacted a new regulation under the Conservation Authorities Act for the effective regulation of development for the protection of people and property from natural hazards in Ontario.
The draft mapping shows areas associated within hazardous lands including valleylands, wetlands, watercourses, and other areas that could be subject to flooding and erosion hazards, including the Lake Ontario Shoreline. The mapping is based on provincial regulatory requirements and technical information such as flood and erosion studies prepared by professional engineers and geographic information associated with wetlands, watercourses and topography prepared by other environmental specialists. Further, the maps show the change in area between the former regulation and the current provincial regulation in effect.
This notification period is in effect between October 9th and November 17th, 2025. The draft mapping will be considered by the CLOCA Board of Directors at their Board meeting scheduled for November 18th, 2025.
You are welcome to contact Chris Jones directly at cjones@cloca.com or our technical staff at mappingupdate@cloca.com regarding this initiative.
COLLINGWOOD, ON – September 2025 — The Durham Region Home Builders’ Association (DRHBA) is proud to announce that Executive Officer Stacey Hawkins has been awarded the Association Leadership Award – Honouring the Legacy of David Horton at the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) Conference held in Collingwood at the end of September.
This prestigious provincial award recognizes an Executive Officer or association staff member who has demonstrated exceptional service, leadership, and commitment to strengthening their local association and advancing the broader OHBA network.
“Sincere congratulations to Stacey on this prestigious award,” says Peter Saturno, owner of Midhaven Homes. “But am I surprised? No. Stacey jumped into and embraced the role of Executive Officer from day one. She met our industry challenges intelligently, representing DRHBA with vigor and passion. Proud to call her a colleague and friend — but again, not surprised.”
Stacey was nominated for the honour by OHBA staff, who praised her as a dedicated and inspiring leader.
“Stacey Hawkins has been an exceptional leader, advocate, and champion for the Durham Region Home Builders’ Association and the broader industry,” reads the nomination. “Her dedication to the association movement is matched only by the creativity and passion she brings to every project. Stacey doesn’t just do the job — she elevates it. That extra ‘Stacey-touch’ is what sets her apart.”
Since joining the DRHBA eight years ago, Stacey has led the association through a period of significant growth and transformation. She has worked hard alongside members to tremendously improve the association’s advocacy efforts, ensuring that DRHBA’s voice is heard at every level of government.
“The DRHBA has come a long way in recent years, evolving from a builder-focused organization into a strong advocate for every discipline within the housing industry, from builders to land developers and beyond,” says Dave Murphy, Second Vice-President of the DRHBA Board. “Stacey has been a key driver of this progress. Her leadership has strengthened our government relations, expanded our voice at both the local and provincial levels, and created opportunities for members to connect and collaborate. Thanks to her vision and commitment, the Association is stronger than ever and well-positioned to shape the future of housing in Durham Region.”
Believing that collaboration with local municipalities is the best way forward, Stacey has worked tirelessly to create and maintain strong, positive relationships with municipal staff and politicians alike. Her commitment to partnership has strengthened DRHBA’s government relations and positioned the association as a trusted and respected voice across Durham Region and beyond.
“I was very happy to see that Stacey has finally received the recognition she deserves with this award,” says Tiago Do Couto, Chair of the DRHBA Government Relations Committee and Director of Land Development for Minto Group. “She came to DRHBA at a time when change was needed to make the association more effective for members. Stacey jumped right in, learned the industry, and worked tirelessly to make the association successful. She’s never been afraid to speak her mind, and her personality has been an asset in fostering relationships with municipal and political staff. She’s truly an asset to DRHBA and our membership. Congratulations, Stacey.”
Beyond advocacy, Stacey has reimagined how DRHBA connects its members. She recreated the Association’s events, turning them into must-attend gatherings within the local industry. Members now enjoy outside-the-box experiences that combine professional networking with genuine fun — from axe throwing to Connect 4 tournaments. Her refresh of DRHBA’s member events has reinvigorated participation, creating innovative ways for members to connect, collaborate, and celebrate together.
“Congratulations to Stacey on being recognized by the OHBA for her exceptional leadership,” adds Shannon Hunt, President of DRHBA and Senior Environmental Consultant at GEMTEC. “We’re incredibly fortunate at DRHBA to have Stacey’s unwavering support. Her commitment to our members — both collectively and individually — is unmatched. Her ability to amplify our members’ voices through meaningful relationships with local and provincial leaders is truly inspiring. Thank you, Stacey, for everything you do!”
Regional and municipal leaders also shared their praise for Stacey’s ongoing contributions to collaboration and community-building across Durham.
“Stacey has played a valuable role in supporting the home building industry,” says John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO for The Regional Municipality of Durham. “Her commitment to collaboration and community-building is reflected in the strong partnerships she’s helped foster. This recognition is well-deserved.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Stacey Hawkins for many years, and her passion, professionalism, and collaborative spirit have always stood out,” says Elizabeth Roy, Mayor of Whitby. “Stacey is a strong advocate for responsible growth, working closely with municipalities like ours to build strong, complete communities across Durham Region. Her leadership has strengthened the DRHBA and made a meaningful impact on the broader industry throughout Ontario. This recognition is well-deserved, and I’m incredibly proud to see her contributions honoured at the provincial level.”
“As Mayor of Clarington, I’m happy that you are recognizing Stacey for her outstanding service,” says Adrian Foster, Mayor of Clarington. “She has been a steadfast advocate for the building industry in Durham and greets her duties with both professionalism and friendliness, always building collaboration and relationships. Her work is worthy of note. Stacey, for all that you do, our thanks.”
“Clarington is a growing and vibrant community, and we’re fortunate to have forward-thinking leaders like Stacey working alongside us to advance our shared goals,” adds Darryl Lyons, Deputy CAO of Planning and Infrastructure for the Municipality of Clarington. “Her support has been instrumental in increasing collaboration with the municipality and championing transformative initiatives that will modernize and streamline Clarington’s development process — not just to increase housing supply and affordability, but to foster economic growth and build complete, sustainable communities. Congratulations, Stacey, on this well-deserved recognition.”
As the DRHBA continues to advocate for housing, growth, and innovation across Durham Region, Stacey’s leadership continues to inspire and strengthen the organization — ensuring it remains a vibrant, connected, and forward-thinking community for all its members.
“I am truly honoured to receive this award. The only reason I am even qualified to win something like this is because of the outstanding mentorship and support I have received throughout the years. I have had the privilege of learning from giants in the industry — some through direct mentorship and others
simply by observing and taking notes from those I admire,” says Stacey. “Some mentors took an active interest in helping me learn and grow, while others gave me the freedom to explore new ideas. Some taught me how to use my voice; others helped me refine it. A heartfelt thank you to Peter Saturno, Tiago Do Couto, Emidio DiPalo, Louise Foster, Ashley MacInnis Murdoch, Paula Tenuta, and the many others who have taught and guided me along the way. All of these people have made me better – both professionally and personally. I am deeply grateful for the lessons, encouragement, and opportunities they’ve shared.”
Below are several important ERO / Regulatory Registry postings that are relevant to our members.
1.Reg. Registry Posting 25-MMAH016: Proposed Building Code amendments: occupancy permits for residential developments subject to deferred development charges
We’re excited to share an upcoming virtual forum focused on electrification and housing connections, hosted by the Tech Committee in partnership with the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA).
This event is designed to bring together local hydro companies and home builders to talk about how we can work better together. The goal is to improve how new homes get connected to the electrical grid—making the process smoother, faster, and more affordable, while keeping the system reliable.
First Session: Date: October 15 Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Online (link below)
Hosted by: Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) & Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) Facilitated by: Power Advisory
Ontario’s housing and energy sectors are entering a new era of collaboration and partnership.
With the Affordable Energy Act, 2024 and recent Ontario Energy Board (OEB) updates, the framework for connecting new housing developments to the electricity grid is changing to reduce costs, support growth, and balance fairness for ratepayers.
This forum will bring together local distribution companies (LDCs) and home builders to foster a mutual understanding of challenges and opportunities in the housing connection process.
The goal is to identify solutions that streamline connections, improve coordination, and enable housing delivery while maintaining system reliability and affordability.
Why Attend?
Format: The morning will feature short presentations from both LDCs and home builders, followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Power Advisory.
Agenda Highlights:
Join us on October 15th for this important dialogue on how Ontario can better align electricity infrastructure with housing growth.
The session will be interactive, with presentations and panel discussions featuring industry experts—including some of our own members.
MPORTANT NOTE: There is no webinar registration, if interested you can join on the 15th using this link.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
REMINDER – Enbridge Gas requires a notice period of no greater than 30 days’ notice of Closing Dates.
This communication serves as a reminder to Builders that Enbridge Gas must receive notice of closing dates for necessary billing transfers, and notice to set up new homeowner accounts no greater than 30 days prior to the closing dates. In addition, please ensure that any changes to closing dates are provided ahead of the date requested.
This is a requirement before occupancy occurs. Failure to provide this information may result in:
the Builder paying for natural gas service for an extended period post-closing and/or delays and interruptions to natural gas supply for the new homeowner.
CALL TO ACTION
It is the Builder’s responsibility to:
➢Advise all new homeowners to contact Enbridge Gas to set up their new account by calling 1-877-362-7434 or online at New Homeowner Gas Account Set Up prior to their closing date.
➢Submit the address and homeowner’s information to Enbridge Gas by email and/or a template at the start of each month, provided that the Builder has a release included in the Purchase and Sale Agreement that permits them to disclose this information to Enbridge Gas.
The Builder must send an email to Enbridge Gas Specialty Billing at specialtybilling@enbridge.comthat includes all relevant details for the home(s), including:
The sender will receive a confirmation response for each request, indicating that the request has been completed.
For any questions or issues, please contact the Enbridge Gas Specialty Billing team at specialtybilling@enbridge.com
Designed for renovators, builders, architects, designers, students, and industry leaders, this full-day event offers insight, innovation, and meaningful connections to help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving sector.
Discover how technology, strategy, and collaboration are driving real change in Ontario’s residential construction sector.
Whether you’re an established professional or just starting out, this event is your chance to gain insight, make connections, and help shape the direction of renovation and home building in Ontario.
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM – 5:00 PM Location: The Centre for Housing Innovation – 10 Dundas St. East, Toronto Price: $99 + HST
Click here to Register
To: All OHBA Members
From: Scott Andison, Chief Executive Officer
Date: September 19, 2025 Re: 2025 Annual Meeting of Members – Information Package
Dear Members,
I am pleased to share the enclosed Annual Meeting of Members (AMM) Package for the Ontario Home Builders’ Association’s 2025 AMM, which will take place on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 11:15 AM at Blue Mountain Resort, Collingwood.
As part of our preparation for this meeting:
• On September 11, 2025, OHBA circulated a call for member resolutions with a requested deadline of September 16, 2025.
• four resolutions were received by that deadline. click here for more information.
This package includes: • Notice of the Annual Meeting of Members, including the agenda and quorum requirements.
• Proxy form instructions, should you be unable to attend in person.
• Proposed By-Law amendments for member consideration; and
• Minutes of the September 23, 2024 AMM for approval.
Please note that the 2024-2025 audited financial statements are not yet included as the audit is still underway. These statements will be circulated to all members as soon as they are finalized and will be presented at the AMM for approval.
Your participation is essential to the success of our association. Please review these materials carefully and ensure you or your designated proxy are prepared to participate and vote.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment. I look forward to seeing you at Blue Mountain.
Warm regards,
Scott Andison, Chief Executive Officer
Ontario Home Builders’ Association
Please be advised that representatives will be voting on behalf of the DRHBA members. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this process, feel free to reach out to Stacey
Follow Us on Social Media:
Contact Us:
Phone: 905-579-8080
Email: info@drhba.com
Address:
1-1255 Terwillegar Avenue
Oshawa, Ontario
L1J 7A4
Copyright © 2019, Durham Region Home Builder's Association, All Rights Reserved Durham Region Home Builders' Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. 1-1255 Terwillegar Avenue Oshawa, Ontario L1J 7A4