Toronto Board of Trade urges Ontario to overhaul zoning and building codes to boost housing supply

The Toronto Region Board of Trade released a study indicating Ontario is on track to miss its goal of building at least 1.5 million new homes by 2031, with a projected deficit of over 550,000 units by 2029. Board president Giles Gherson said the province’s patchwork of zoning bylaws and building-code standards creates excessive expenses and delays, hurting affordability and deterring workers. The report recommends a province-wide zoning framework that standardizes terminology and sets baseline housing types, such as townhouses and multiplexes, without special approvals.

It also suggests evaluating every building-code requirement for its lifecycle cost and allowing six-storey, single-stair buildings with smaller elevators where safety permits. Gherson pointed to Edmonton’s more flexible zoning as a model for faster growth. The board cautioned that even swift regulatory changes would require years for municipalities to adjust plans and infrastructure, making the 2031 target unrealistic.