The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) is taking aim at some of the barriers that are preventing the construction of new housing units.

The group is organizing its fourth annual housing summit, a virtual event, on October 9. The event will feature a lineup of elected officials, senior public service decision-makers, housing sector thought leaders and influencers, public opinion analysts and others who will discuss challenges, opportunities and policy changes that are required to get the housing sector back on track.

RESCON says immediate action is needed to speed up the approvals process and create conditions conducive to building homes.

“In many ways, we are still in the dark ages when it comes to housing approvals,” says President Richard Lyall. “The residential construction industry is handcuffed by the extensive labyrinth of restrictive rules, cumbersome processes and exorbitant fees. It’s like a self-inflicted wound. Plans that have been developed lack focus and vision and it will take a serious epiphany to turn the situation around.”

Discussions and presentations will cover a number of topics, including taxes, fees and levies, public policy initiatives, public opinion surveys, market analysis and potential solutions.

Confirmed speakers include Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, London Mayor Josh Morgan, David Coletto of Abacus Research, and others.

RESCON is hoping that the event will spark ideas, discussions and action to boost housing supply.

“We are in the midst of Canada’s worst-ever housing affordability and supply crisis,” says Lyall. “Housing starts are down, the condo market is deteriorating to levels not seen since the recession in the 1990s, and we are falling far short of the number of homes that need to be built to make housing affordable and attainable. Approval timelines are growing longer and taxes on a new home are jaw-dropping, as they now account for 31 percent of the price tag, which is only adding insult to injury.”

In the last six months, RESCON says, Ontario’s population grew by 200,000 but the province had only 37,425 housing starts. That’s 6,577 fewer units from the same period in 2023.