What Leading Builders and Renovators Are Fixing with Tech Now—And Why You Can’t Wait

Margins are under attack. Trades are stretched thin. Buyers expect Amazon-level service, but your team is still battling paper POs, broken schedules, and scattered spreadsheets. Every delay, misstep, or miscommunication is profit slipping away, and the gap between leaders and laggards is widening fast. In this fast-moving session, you’ll hear exactly what leading builders and renovators are fixing right now to cut waste, tighten schedules, and protect their margins. No jargon. No theory. Just straight talk on practical, proven changes that work in the real world, from job sites to boardrooms.

Panelists:

• Adil Kodian, EVP, Rohit Group, Co-Founder, Tech2.Build
• Dan Stern, Head of Sales & Marketing, Build Base

Provided By:

Mayor’s Panel: Leadership at the Limits: Cities, Costs & Compromise

Ontario’s housing crisis has forced a rethink of how municipalities fund growth. With development charges (DCs), community benefits, and infrastructure investments under increased scrutiny — and in some cases reform — mayors are navigating difficult decisions between financial sustainability, housing affordability, and long-term growth planning.

This panel brings together a group of Mayors from municipalities across Ontario to offer a political perspective on the future of growth funding. From high-growth cities wrestling with servicing backlogs, to mid-sized municipalities adjusting to provincial changes, these mayors will share their views on what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change. Expect candid commentary on the intersection of housing targets, budget pressures, and the need for new tools that align municipal revenues with provincial housing priorities.

Whether you’re a builder, planner, or policymaker, this conversation will provide valuable insight into how municipal leaders are balancing the books — and what that means for housing supply across the province.

Panelists:

• Mat Siscoe, Mayor of St. Catharines
• Alex Nuttall, Mayor of Barrie
• Marianne Meed-Ward, Mayor of Burlington
• Annette Groves, Mayor of Caledon
• Carolyn Parrish, Mayor of Mississauga

Moderated By:

Jason Lietaer, President, Enterprise Canada

Layered Landscapes: Reconciling Growth & Heritage

As Ontario’s housing crisis deepens, tension is growing between the need for new development and the imperative to protect our built heritage. Striking the right balance has never been more urgent — or more complex.

This session brings together leading planners, lawyers, developers, and policy experts to explore how heritage protection intersects with intensification, community character, and housing delivery. Panelists will unpack recent legislative and policy changes, best practices in adaptive reuse and cultural preservation, and the role of municipalities in reconciling competing objectives. If you’re navigating heritage policies or trying to unlock constrained sites, this panel will offer practical insights into where the policy is heading and how to make it work on the ground.

Panelists:

• Leona Savoie, President and Consultant, Savoir Advisory
• David Bronskill, Partner, Municipal Land Development Group, Goodmans
• Liza Stiff, EVP, Development & Impact, TAS
• Nathalie Desrosiers, Senior Heritage Lead, McCallum Sather
• Sumra Zia, Heritage Planner, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake

Moderator:

• Michael McClelland, Founding Principal, ERA Architects

Power to Build: Infrastructure, Rates and the Cost of Growth

Escalating electricity, gas, and servicing costs are quickly becoming one of the most significant — and least predictable — barriers to new housing delivery. As utility rates climb and infrastructure investment lags behind housing demand, industry and energy providers alike are grappling with how to align cost recovery with growth.

This technical session brings together leaders from Ontario’s major energy and servicing providers alongside development industry voices to examine how utility costs are influencing housing feasibility. Topics will include servicing capacity constraints, the economics of system expansion, rate structures, and what coordination is needed between municipalities, utilities, and builders to keep projects viable.

Panelists:

• Cara-Lynne Wade, Director, Mass Market Strategy & Marketing, Enbridge Gas
• Aleck Dadson, Senior Advisor, StrategyCorp
• Mike McLean – Senior Vice President, Fieldgate Developments
• Teresa Sarkesian – President and CEO, Electricity Distributors Association

Moderated By:

• Matt Cory, Principal, Planner, Land Economist, Project Manager – Malone Given Parsons Ltd.

Setting the Standard: Unlocking System-Wide Solutions for 2025 (Policy Committee Chairs Panel)

Leading into OHBA’s Queen’s Park Day 2025, the Association’s four policy committees came together to identify the top issues, pressures, and opportunities facing Ontario’s home building and renovation industry. Their insights have shaped OHBA’s 2025/2026 strategic policy and advocacy framework — and this session marks its official launch.

Join the Chairs of OHBA’s Development, Technical, Regulatory, and Renovator Committees, alongside OHBA Chair Mike Memme, for a candid discussion about the path forward. From recent wins to unresolved challenges, this session offers a front-row seat to the priorities that define our advocacy with government over the course of the 2025/2026 year.

Panelists:

• Jon Whyte, Chair, Land Development Committee, OHBA
• Rick Martins, Chair, OHBA Regulatory Affairs Committee, Past OHBA President
• Peder Madsen, Chair, OHBA Ontario Renovators Council

Moderated By:

• Mike Memme, outgoing Chair, OHBA Board of Directors

Breaking Ground: Leadership at the Intersection of Housing, Policy & Innovation

This panel brings together a dynamic group of leaders who are shaping the future of Ontario’s housing and development sector. Representing diverse backgrounds in energy, planning, construction, development, and government relations, these speakers are driving change, tackling complex challenges, and delivering results across disciplines.

The conversation will explore how they’re navigating the pressures of today’s housing market, advancing bold ideas, and pushing for policy and regulatory reform in their respective spaces. With a focus on leadership, strategy, and innovation, this panel offers valuable insights for anyone working to make an impact in a rapidly evolving industry.

Moderated by OHBA’s incoming Chair who brings deep industry knowledge, this discussion highlights a powerhouse panel of professionals — all of whom happen to be women — who are setting the pace for what’s next in housing.

Panelists:

• Margaret Josipovic, Senior Manager, Housing Accelerator Program, City of St. Catharines
• Signe Leisk, Partner, Litigation Group, Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP
• Claire Basinski, Principal & Co-Founder, Take Consulting
• Kristina Kaneff, Vice-President & General Counsel, Kaneff Group
• Bonnie Hiltz, Vice-President, Government and Stakeholder Relations, Hydro One

Moderated By:

• Christina Giannone, incoming Chair, OHBA Board of Directors

Rethinking Warranty: Models, Lessons & the Path Forward

Ontario’s home warranty and builder protection framework is a critical component of our housing system — but like many aspects of the industry, it’s due for thoughtful reflection and reform. While other provinces like British Columbia and Alberta have implemented distinct models that rely on regulated private insurers, Ontario continues to operate under a single-provider system. What are the trade-offs, and what could evolution look like?

This session brings together leaders from Ontario and across Canada to compare builder warranty models, highlight practical lessons, and unpack how different systems manage risk, enforcement, and consumer protection. Learn how the Western model of insurer-builder relationships works, how implementation was approached, and what the builder experience has been under these new regimes — all while reflecting on how Ontario’s system can improve to better serve both the industry and consumers.

With voices from both inside and outside the province, this conversation is about learning, questioning, and considering what might come next.

Panelists:

• Matt McCurrach, President, Homex Development Corporation
• Kerry Nagy, VP, Underwriting, Travelers Canada
• Scott Hamilton, President, ANHW/PHBI
• Peter Balasubramanian, President and CEO, Tarion

Moderator:

• Sue Wastell, President, Wastell Homes

Unlocking Housing in Small-Town Ontario

Smaller and rural municipalities face a distinct set of challenges when it comes to unlocking new housing supply — from limited servicing capacity to administrative constraints, outdated policy frameworks, and inconsistent interpretations of provincial rules. These barriers often result in stagnated growth, unbuilt housing, and limited options for new residents and workforce attraction and retention.

This session will explore the unique pressures and opportunities in Ontario’s small towns and rural communities. Presentations and discussion will focus on practical solutions — including innovative use of Municipal Services Corporations (MSCs), communal servicing models, and creative rural planning strategies — as well as the structural challenges that still need to be addressed. Panelists will share on-the-ground perspectives from both the public and private sectors, offering insight into what’s working, what’s not, and what policy shifts are needed to better support growth outside major urban centres.

Panelists:

• Lindsay Blair, President, Rural Impact Canada, Executive Director, 2B Developments
• Eric Withers, Deputy CAO, Town of Renfrew
• Robin Jones, President AMO Board of Directors, Mayor of Westport
• Bob Schickedanz, Managing Partner, Far Sight Homes
• Andria Leigh, Director of Planning and Growth, Town of Innisfil 

Moderator:

• Pierre Dufresne, Cavanagh Communities

Then, Now & Next: Municipal Perspectives on Housing & Growth

Ontario’s planning landscape has been anything but static. From sweeping reforms to shifting housing targets and evolving provincial directives, municipalities have had to rapidly adapt — often with limited clarity and high stakes.

This panel pulls back the curtain on how senior municipal officials — past and present — have navigated these changes behind the scenes. With decades of institutional knowledge and firsthand experience, panelists will reflect on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how local implementation is shaped by the politics and pace of provincial reform. Expect frank discussion about the realities of municipal planning under pressure — and thoughtful insights into what’s needed for the system to work better for everyone.

Panelists:

• Michelle Sergi,  Deputy CAO Niagara Region
• Curt Benson, CAO, City of Burlington
• Pat Perkins, Executive Strategic Advisor, Sutherland Corp.
• Dave McLeary, Senior Consultant, Strategy Corp.
• Ed Sajecki, Founding Partner, Sajecki Planning Inc.

Moderated By:

• Paula Tenuta, SVP, Policy & Advocacy, BILD

Respect, Risk & Readiness: Building with New Expectations

As expectations for Indigenous engagement and archaeological practice continue to evolve, Ontario’s development industry is entering a new era of responsibility. With evolving federal and provincial requirements, home builders and industry partners must better understand how to approach consultation, manage risks, and build meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities.

This session will explore how builders and developers can better understand and engage with Indigenous communities and knowledge holders, while navigating regulatory frameworks tied to consultation and archaeology. Attendees will hear directly about best practices in relationship-building, cultural sensitivity, and integrating Indigenous values into the planning and approvals process.

The session will begin with presentations from Indigenous leaders and professional practitioners, followed by a moderated dialogue aimed at helping the industry navigate this space with humility, transparency, and readiness, and provide insights into emerging legal frameworks, consultation protocols, and practical tools for moving projects forward in a way that builds trust and fosters long-term partnerships.

Panelists:

• Jeremiah Paraig, Stakeholder Engagement Lead & Indigenous Engagement Practice Lead, HDR
• Bradley Drouin, Principal & Senior Archaeologist, True North Archaeological Services Inc.
• Katelyn Gillis, Senior Planner, Landwise

Moderated By:

• Aidan Grove White, Principal, Strategy Corp.

The Rental Reboot: A New Era for Builders

As Ontario’s market for new homeownership faces headwinds, more builders are exploring a strategic pivot: entering the purpose-built rental market. But making the shift isn’t simply about changing tenure — it’s about adopting an entirely different business model, investment structure, and operational mindset.

This session brings together leading developers, builders, and rental housing operators to explore what it takes to successfully make that transition. Panelists will share insights on underwriting rental projects, financing and construction considerations, long-term asset management, and how to navigate regulatory frameworks that treat rental differently. Whether you’re evaluating a shift or already mid-transition, this session will offer real-world perspectives on how to build for a different kind of demand.

Panelists:

• Natasha Paikin, Director of Client Experience, New Horizons Development Group
• Gus Stavropoulos, CFO, Tribute Communities
• Andrew Webster, Senior Vice-President, Rose Corp.
• Sue Wastell, President, Wastell Homes

Moderated By:

• Danielle Binder, Senior Director, Policy & Advocacy, BILD

Margins under Pressure: Building & Renovating through Uncertainty

With rising construction costs, tariff pressures, fluctuating interest rates, and uncertain market conditions, builders and renovators are facing complex challenges and critical decisions. This panel will deliver a high-level economic snapshot with a sharp focus on the impacts specific to Ontario’s home building and renovation sector.

Panelists will provide updated forecasts, unpack the drivers behind material and labour cost pressures, and offer strategies to manage through economic uncertainty. The discussion will also explore how renovators can position themselves for success amid a slowdown in new construction, tapping into opportunities even as broader market confidence shifts.

Panelists:

• Marlon Bray, EVP, Clark Construction Management
• Daniel Foch, Chief Real Estate Officer, Valery.ca

Moderated By:

• Dave Wilkes, President & CEO, BILD