Blogs

As wise old Gandolf noted in Lord of the Rings, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

Progress is being made on the housing crisis, but serious challenges remain - namely the need for a long-term commitment to reducing taxes on new housing, Grant Cameron explains in his latest blog.

An interim report of the Building Code Advisory Body identifies several preliminary recommendations that are sufficiently developed to warrant consideration for earlier action, RESCON’s Paul De Berardis writes in his latest blog.

RESCON’s first two fall webinars focused on women in construction and mental health. Another on mobile and elevated work platforms is scheduled for Dec. 1.

RESCON is disappointed that the Ontario government’s fall economic statement (FES) confirmed that both the enhanced HST rebate and existing new housing rebate will end on March 31, 2027.

Governments have finally started going after the two biggest cost drivers - sales taxes and development charges - but the pace is not good enough, RESCON president Richard Lyall states in a blog.

In construction, we need to start associating the “fall back” clock change with preparation for winter construction safety, RESCON VP Andrew Pariser writes in a blog.

RESCON supports the disclosure of municipal development charges on a new home when an agreement of purchase and sale is signed, RESCON’s Paul De Berardis writes in a blog.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are complete opposites, but both are transformational, RESCON’s Michael Giles writes in a blog.

There is reason for optimism as there are signs housing affordability is improving, but trade tensions with the U.S. could dampen the enthusiasm, according to speakers at a RESCON housing summit.

While there have been many positive announcements and temporary measures introduced by various levels of government, more reforms are necessary to get the new housing industry back on track, RESCON president Richard Lyall writes in a blog.

Ontario has done a lot to remove the stigma attached to the skilled trades, but we need to continue to highlight opportunities that they offer, RESCON VP Andrew Pariser writes in his latest blog.

Premier Doug Ford hit a homerun when he said that President Donald Trump can kiss his ass. That’s the take from Grant Cameron in his latest blog.

American leadership has descended into a miasma of madness, Michael Giles writes in his latest blog.

RESCON has put forward a submission that highlights industry concerns about the Ontario Building Code, but more importantly about the building approvals process, Dave Henderson writes in a blog.

The province is seeking input on how the Ontario Building Code can be modernized, simplified and streamlined while maintaining health, safety, accessibility and performance standards, Dave Henderson writes in a blog.

The notion of allowing Toronto to become a Charter City would keep me up at night, Michael Giles writes in his latest blog.

There have been many positive changes as of late related to the HST and development charges on new housing, green standards, and the building code, Grant Cameron writes in a blog.

Associations, MLITSD, and other safety groups are continuing to work on safety plans related to the announced harmonization of safety standards across Canada, RESCON VP Andrew Pariser writes in his latest blog.

Housing is fundamental to our economic prosperity and wellbeing yet it is still viewed as an economic “want” by many, RESCON president Richard Lyall writes in a blog.

While global headlines continue to be dominated by uncertainty and disruption, there have been several encouraging developments closer to home for Ontario’s residential construction industry, RESCON president Richard Lyall writes in his latest blog.

RESCON members go above and beyond to plan and execute heat mitigation plans to keep workers safe on-site, RESCON VP Andrew Pariser writes in his latest blog.

Last month, RESCON focused on cutting development charges, addressing housing affordability in Ontario, and modernizing development approvals with an AI-enabled platform, Grant Cameron writes in a blog.

Housing is now a major political issue and with all the initiatives that governments have announced, all eyes will be on if and how they will move the dial, Michael Giles writes in a blog.

RESCON is undertaking a study to finally answer the question of whether polyethylene under concrete basement floor slabs can be used as a means to control soil gas entry into homes, David Henderson writes in a blog.

A CMHC report noted that Canada could have produced nearly 30 per cent more housing in 2024, which is an astounding figure, but government and red tape got in the way, Richard Lyall writes in his latest blog.

As of July 1, 2027, Type 2 hard hats will be required in Ontario where workers may be exposed to side-impact hazards or where conditions may cause headwear to dislodge, Andrew Pariser writes in his latest blog.

Bill 98 - the province’s last housing legislation - is taking the view that sometimes less is more when it comes to municipal planning bureaucracy, Paul De Berardis writes in his latest blog.

To progress and kick-start the residential construction sector, we must let go of the past and actively focus on the future and have the fortitude to take the steps that are necessary to solve the housing crisis, Grant Cameron writes in his latest blog.

Closing roads to investigate accidents may be necessary but not for hours on end as the rest of the city grinds to a halt, Michael Giles writes in his latest blog.

The past several months have produced an extraordinary volume of housing policy announcements from both Ottawa and Queen's Park.

On April 28, the construction industry came together to commemorate the National Day of Mourning.

"Hurry up and wait." That idiom seems to sum up the situation with the residential construction industry these days.

On May 25, 1879, William Maxwell Aitken was born in Maple, Ont. He would later become known as Lord Beaverbrook.

New measures from the Ontario and federal governments should move the needle on new housing, RESCON president writes in his latest blog.

While health and safety challenges change with the seasons, the commitment of RESCON members to keeping workers safe is constant.

Finally some good news announcements came from the federal and provincial governments, as housing-enabling policy reforms were introduced.

After a long wait, governments have finally taken action to lower the tax burden on new housing, Grant Cameron writes in his latest blog.

Canada is not alone in dealing with a housing crisis, Michael Giles explains in his latest blog.

There are very good reasons to feel optimistic about the housing crisis despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, RESCON president writes in a blog.

Progress has been made but we still have a long way to go to get more women into the construction trades, RESCON VP Andrew Pariser writes in his latest blog.

RESCON is calling on governments to take action on a number of fronts to tackle the housing crisis, Grant Cameron writes in his latest blog.

A safe, comfortable and stable home is the basis upon which all other success in life is ultimately predicated upon, Michael Giles writes in a blog.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack appears to be sincere in his desire to undertake a line-by-line review of the Ontario Building Code.

Michael Giles floats the idea of borrowing a page from Winston Churchill to meet the challenge posed by the current housing crisis.

Premier Doug Ford says his government is ready to work with residential builders to kick-start the industry as it is critical to the long-term prosperity of the province.

New and more onerous construction regulations were the last thing the housing sector was wishing for, as Ontario new housing sales continue to slump.

2026 is the year that we must eliminate the major cost barriers on housing, namely the excessive tax burden and exorbitant development charges.

While all companies focused on becoming winter-ready in the fall of 2025, I’m here to remind you that staying winter-ready doesn’t happen on its own.