BUILDING a Stronger durham Together

The federal and Ontario governments have now formally resolved the administrative issues associated with implementing the enhanced HST rebate for new homes.

The required regulations have been finalized and are available for public viewing:

Federal Regulation: P.C. 2026-610

Ontario Regulation: O. Reg. 196/26

The release of these regulations provides the clarity and certainty that builders, purchasers, lawyers, lenders, and sales teams have been waiting for since the enhanced rebate was first announced on March 25, 2026.

This represents a significant step forward for Ontario’s new housing market. It confirms how the enhanced HST relief program will be administered and allows transactions to proceed with greater confidence and reduced risk.

Administration of the Enhanced HST Rebate for New Primary Residences

For eligible purchasers buying a new home as their primary residence, it is generally recommended that the HST rebate be assigned to the builder. This approach enables purchasers to benefit from a reduced effective purchase price and may lower the amount they need to finance through their mortgage.

The administration process is expected to work as follows:

• Builders will apply for the assigned rebate through the same portal currently used for the Ontario New Housing Rebate, including the existing rebate of up to $24,000.
• The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), acting on behalf of both the federal and Ontario governments, will verify eligibility using the same criteria applied to the current New Housing Rebate.
• The CRA will review applications submitted using form GST190 and, once eligibility is confirmed, will reduce the builder’s HST liability for the 8% provincial portion. This form will be updated to reflect the new program, and no changes are expected to the existing schedule RC7190-ON.
• The portal now includes an additional section requiring applicants to provide consent for the CRA to share necessary information with the Ontario Ministry of Finance for the purpose of issuing the 5% federal GST portion of the rebate to the builder.
• The CRA will provide Ontario’s Ministry of Finance with a monthly list of approved 5% GST rebate claims. The Ministry has committed to issuing electronic payments to builders within 30 days. Requests for cheque payments may take longer than this 30-day service standard.

An infographic published by CRA outlining an example of the claim process can be found here.

While assigning the rebate to the builder is expected to be the most efficient method, purchasers may still choose to complete the transaction inclusive of HST and apply directly to the CRA for the rebate.

Enhanced New Residential Rental Property Rebate (NRRPR)

The Enhanced New Residential Rental Property Rebate will continue to be administered in the same manner as it was prior to the March 25, 2026, announcement.

Eligible new rental housing projects may qualify for a rebate of up to $130,000, provided they meet the criteria outlined under the existing NRRPR framework. Additional information on the program can be found here.

Members are encouraged to review eligibility requirements and consult their tax, accounting, and legal advisors to determine how the enhanced rebate applies to their specific rental housing projects.

A Significant Advocacy Win for Housing Affordability

The enhanced HST rebate represents a major advocacy achievement for Ontario’s residential construction sector and an important affordability measure for new homebuyers.

Since the March 25 announcement, more than 5,000 new home sales have taken place across Ontario that may not have otherwise occurred. This accounts for over one-third of all new home sales in Ontario in 2025 and highlights the immediate impact of reducing the tax burden on new housing.

However, despite the positive policy announcement, the absence of clear administrative guidance led to several months of uncertainty for builders, purchasers, and the broader housing market.

During this period, some purchasers became hesitant to proceed, as agreements of purchase and sale increasingly included clauses requiring them to cover the HST amount if the rebate was not ultimately returned to the builder. Some builders began slowing sales activity due to accumulating potential HST liabilities, with legal advisors cautioning about the associated financial risks.

The release of the federal and provincial regulations has now resolved this uncertainty.

DRHBA acknowledges the efforts of both the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario in delivering this important affordability measure and addressing the administrative challenges. We also recognize the contributions of members, local associations, and industry partners who helped emphasize the urgency of this issue.

Throughout this process, advocacy efforts by OHBA and BILD have focused on ensuring the rebate fulfills its intended purpose: improving affordability, restoring purchaser confidence, enabling builders to move projects forward, and helping to restart housing supply across Ontario.

Member Guidance

Members should consult with their legal, accounting, and tax advisors to determine how this administrative update impacts

• Agreements of purchase and sale
• Disclosure language
• Accounting and tax treatment
• Purchaser communications
• Mortgage and lender communications
• Sales processes

Members should also ensure that their internal sales, finance, and legal teams are informed of the updated administrative procedures – particularly the requirement for consent to allow information sharing between the CRA and the Ontario Ministry of Finance to facilitate payment of the 5% federal portion of the rebate.

OHBA and BILD will continue to monitor implementation closely and provide members with updates as further technical guidance or administrative details become available. The Ontario government will also continue to publish updated guidance on both the enhanced NHR and NRRPR programs on the Ministry of Finance website.

This is a positive and important development. The enhanced HST rebate has already helped bring purchasers back into the new home market. Now that the administrative process is clearly defined, the industry can move forward with renewed confidence and continue delivering the homes Ontario families need.

DRHBA members – this is your moment.

Submissions are officially open for the 2026 OHBA Awards of Distinction, and we want to see Durham Region’s best take centre stage. This prestigious provincial program celebrates the very best in new home design, renovation, marketing, and professional achievement across Ontario – and we know our members consistently stand out.

Why Submit?

This is more than an award – it’s an opportunity to:

• Showcase your work to a province-wide audience
• Elevate your brand and credibility
• Celebrate your team’s innovation and craftsmanship
• Compete alongside Ontario’s top builders, renovators, and marketers

Full Category Listing

Who Should Enter?

Any member that has a project that is open for sale or was completed between June 2024 and June 2026 in Ontario may enter. If you’ve completed a standout project, launched an exceptional campaign, or delivered industry-leading work – this is your time to shine!

Submission Eligibility

Don’t Wait!

Deadlines will approach quickly, so start preparing your submissions now and make sure Durham Region is well represented on the provincial stage. Let’s show Ontario what DRHBA members can do.

Pro Tip for Submissions:

Strong visuals, clear storytelling, and attention to submission criteria can make all the difference. Put your best foot forward!

Start Your Submission

SAVE THE DATE!

Tuesday, September 29 - Blue Mountain Resort, Collingwood

Registration Opening Soon!

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable Robert Flack, has written a letter to Heads of Council inviting municipalities to apply to the new DC Reduction Program.

Highlights of that letter include:

• This program is part of the historic Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build announced on March 30th, which will provide up to $8.8 billion in new infrastructure funding to municipalities that reduce and maintain development charge reductions.

• While the program requires DC reductions of at least 30% to 50%, retroactive to March 30, 2026, municipalities are strongly encouraged to be as ambitious as possible in their DC rate reductions to secure as much funding as possible for their communities.

• The program will help municipalities to fund and build the infrastructure needed for growth, including housing-enabling infrastructure, such as roads, water and wastewater systems, transit and community infrastructure, such as fire and police infrastructure.

• Municipalities will be required to fund at least 10 percent of project costs, with greater municipal contributions leading to higher funding eligibility.

• Municipalities must also put forward shovel-ready projects from their DC background study and capital plan that are anticipated to start construction no later than July 31, 2030, and be completed by October 31, 2035.

• Joint applications are also encouraged, but all applicants would be required to meet the immediate and ongoing program requirements.

• All Ontario municipalities (single-tier, upper-tier and lower-tier) that have an active DC by-law in place (as of March 30, 2026) are eligible to apply.

• Municipalities that took action to reduce DCs prior to March 30, 2026, are also encouraged to apply to receive recognition for their efforts in supporting new housing developments.

• The province is moving expeditiously to launch the program with a single intake period from June 1st to the 19th to commit all funds for the next ten years to also capitalize on the temporary enhanced HST relief on new homes so that the summer construction season is maximized to unlock housing.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

At a press conference on June 1st in Ottawa, the provincial and federal governments launched the provincial program for Development Charges Reductions. The announcement outlined mechanisms for municipalities to reduce development charges (DCs) in Ontario while enabling continued investment in housing-supportive infrastructure through federal/provincial funding.

The Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build was announced on March 30 and allocated $8.8 billion to lower development charges in Ontario for 3 years , with the goal of reducing DCs by up to 30 to 50 percent in Ontario’s fastest growing municipalities. 

The announcement, attended by the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Provincial Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Rob Flack, Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as well as Scott Andison, CEO of OHBA, provides clarity to municipalities about the application process for that funding, timelines and eligibility requirements.

Key details are as follows:

As of June 1, 2026, eligible municipalities can apply for funding through the Ontario-Canada Development Charges Reduction Program. The deadline to apply is June 19th, 2026. Timelines for the DCRP are intended to coincide with the enhanced HST rebate in order to maximize relief for home builders and home buyers.

Applications will be assessed based on:

• percentage of committed DC rate reduction (minimum 30-50 per cent reduction)
• number of homes projected to build as a result of proposed DC relief
• the municipality’s financial contribution

Housing-enabling projects would be prioritized with consideration for the number of homes enabled by the project. Municipalities are strongly encouraged to be as ambitious as possible in their DC rate reductions to secure the maximum funding for their communities.

For the details on municipal next steps, and the application criteria that they are required to follow, please click here: Development Charges Reduction Program | ontario.ca

A copy of OHBA and BILD's press release can be accessed here. 

To watch today’s announcement, please click here: 

Minister Flack Holds a Press Conference | June 1

MEMBER BRIEFING: OHBA and BILD are working with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to host a technical briefing for the membership , which is anticipated to take place in mid-June. Please watch for those details.

Announcing two upcoming OHBA webinar sessions featuring industry experts and timely discussions impacting Ontario’s residential construction industry.

Whether you’re a builder, developer, renovator, or industry professional, these sessions are designed to provide practical insight and important industry updates.

Webinar #1

Pay on Demand Surety Bonds for Developers and Builders

Hosted by John Cruickshank, OHBA Manager, Engagement and Advocacy, this session will feature industry insights from:

• Diana Ho, Vice-President, Construction Industry Group, Platform Insurance
• Stephanie Kuntz, Senior Vice-President, Construction Industry Group, Platform Insurance

This webinar will explore key considerations around surety bonds and what builders and developers should know in today’s changing construction landscape.

June 3, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

Webinar #2 

Building Better Safety on Ontario Jobsites

Hosted by Jamie Adam, President of Pioneer Craftsmen and Education Chair of the Ontario Renovators' Council, this webinar will feature insights from Robert Babcock, OHS Consultancy Partner with Peninsula Canada.

This session will provide practical guidance for residential builders, renovators, and contractors on workplace safety compliance, supervisor responsibilities, subcontractor accountability, Ministry of Labour enforcement trends, seasonal jobsite risks, and what employers should know to help keep their teams and jobsites safe.

June 9, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) invites you to attend our information sessions on the first-time home buyers’ (FTHB) goods and services tax / harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) rebate. The CRA will be offering virtual sessions. 

Information Sessions for Builders and Developers

Who these sessions are for? Builders and developers who want a clear explanation of the FTHB GST/HST rebate. 

What it will cover:

• Eligibility rules for homes purchased from a builder 
• Key restrictions builders must know 
• How builders can pay or credit the rebate to first‑time home buyers 
• How to report the rebate when filing a GST/HST return 
• When builders may be liable for incorrect rebates  

Session date and details for builders and developers:

Date: May 20, 2026 

Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm Eastern time 

Location: Microsoft Teams Live

Click here to register 

Information Sessions for Professionals and Organizations that Support First‑Time Home Buyers

Who these sessions are for? Professionals and organizations who support or advise first‑time home buyers, including accountants, lawyers, notaries, realtors, financial advisors, and related associations. 

What it will cover:

• Eligibility rules and important restrictions for owner‑built homes and homes purchased from builders. 
• How first‑time home buyers apply for the rebate, through the builder or directly with the CRA. 

Session date and details for professionals and organizations that support first-time home buyers:

Date: May 27, 2026 

Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm Eastern time  

Location: Microsoft Teams Live 

Click here to register  

Send Your Questions  

Submit questions in advance to help tailor the presentation and materials to your needs and common areas of interest. Submit your questions using the online questions form. 

Removing Barriers to Participation  

The CRA is committed to identifying, removing, and preventing barriers to participation for people with disabilities. The closed captioning feature in MS Teams Live is the main tool to accommodate participants with auditory needs. If you need an alternative tool or service to help you participate, please send an email to engagementg@cra-arc.gc.ca by May 13, 2026.

The OHBA U40 Committee is hosting a Blue Jays Night on Friday, May 8, and tickets are going fast. This event is open to members, colleagues, friends, and family  – so feel free to bring your whole crew!

Guests will get to watch the game from the WestJet Flight Deck at Rogers Centre! A great spot to hang out, connect, and enjoy the game.

A few things to look forward to:
Food voucher included with your ticket
Giveaways throughout the night + chances to win great prizes
Wear your Jays gear and show your team spirit
Social media contest – tag OHBA during the game for a chance to win

Bonus: The first 15,000 fans through the gates will receive a Trey Yesavage Angry Birds replica jersey.

This is a fun way to catch up with industry peers, meet some new faces, and enjoy a night at the ballpark.

We’d love to see DRHBA members out supporting this OHBA-hosted event!

Tickets are limited, so grab yours soon if you’re interested. Purchase Tickets

Interested in getting more involved? Send OHBA an email to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Ontario’s recent HST rebate announcement is an important step toward improving housing affordability and increasing housing supply across the province. As builder activity ramps up, it’s essential for members to understand how Tarion will support builders seeking approval to sell and build under the Enhanced HST Rebate Program.

To help keep our members informed, the Durham Region Home Builders’ Association (DRHBA) is sharing an opportunity hosted by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA). This exclusive, members‑only webinar will feature Tarion staff providing a clear overview of how Tarion processes are being managed during the rollout of the Enhanced HST Rebate, including what builders can expect as application volumes increase.

Participants will receive practical guidance and best‑practice advice to help ensure applications are complete, efficient, and processed as quickly as possible.

Webinar details:
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
4:00–5:00 PM
Register here

The Ontario Home Builders’ Association is proud to share the launch of its first Annual Report, highlighting the work that was accomplished in 2025 and the value delivered to members across the province.

This report showcases a year of significant progress. From advocacy wins to member support initiatives, OHBA made meaningful strides on behalf of Ontario’s residential construction industry. We have much to be proud of, and this report clearly demonstrates the breadth and impact of the work completed throughout the year.

Looking ahead, OHBA remains committed to working closely with our association and members to strengthen alignment with municipal, provincial, and federal governments. Their focus continues to be ensuring homes can be built efficiently while industry challenges are addressed by key decision‑makers.

Member feedback remains critical to this work. We are always ready to hear from you about what our industry needs most, and are committed to taking action on those priorities.

We would like to thank our members and association leaders for their leadership and dedication in helping steward important reforms and move the organization forward through a period of defining change.

Members are encouraged to share the Annual Report within their organizations and networks. The full report is available here.

The Town of Whitby will be hosting a public meeting on April 27, 2026 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall about their proposed Community Benefits Charge Bylaw.

The Town’s Community Benefits Charge Strategy document can be found here.

DRHBA retained Daryl Keleher of KR Planning Group to review the strategy document and identify any concerns. After reviewing the document, he found that the Town substantiates the full cap with a wide range of eligible costs. While the Town has included some unique types of projects in their strategy, including land for a hospital, the Act provides the Town the freedom to fund whatever projects they choose.

If you have any concerns or comments about Whitby’s CBC strategy, please contact Stacey.