Announcements

BILD Launches ‘Best Time To Buy’ Campaign Across Ontario
The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) has launched a province-wide “Best Time To Buy” campaign promoting new home purchases in response to recent HST changes, with advertising rolling out across digital, social, and radio platforms beginning in April, 2026. Developed in collaboration with the Ontario Home Builders’ Association and local home builders’ associations, the campaign is active across multiple Ontario markets, including the GTA, Ottawa, Hamilton, and London, and is scheduled to run through June. 

BILD Reports March New Home Sales Still Well Below Long-Term Averages
BILD reported 948 new home sales across the GTA in March, 2026, marking a year-over-year increase but remaining 64% below the 10-year average for the month. While activity improved from record lows in 2025, March still ranked among the weakest on record, with condominium apartment sales particularly subdued compared to historical norms. Industry analysts point to recent HST relief measures as a potential catalyst for renewed demand, with early indications suggesting increased activity at sales centres heading into the spring market.

Mississauga Expands Affordable Rental Housing Incentive Program Funding
The City of Mississauga has approved an increase in funding for its Affordable Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP), raising the program’s budget from $44M to $70M to support additional rental housing development. Backed in part by the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, the expanded program is expected to help advance more than 3,600 purpose-built rental units, including over 500 with below-market rents, while continuing to offer grants and fee relief for qualifying projects. The move builds on strong uptake since the program’s 2024 launch and forms part of a municipal strategy to accelerate housing delivery and improve rental affordability.

TRREB Reports March Market Activity with Rising Sales and Fewer Listings
TRREB reported 5,039 home sales across the Greater Toronto Area in March, 2026, marking a 1.7% increase year-over-year, while new listings declined 16.7% to 14,442 properties. Benchmark and average selling prices both fell compared to March 2025, with the average price reaching approximately $1.02M, reflecting continued buyer leverage despite improving sales activity. The combination of rising transactions and reduced listings points to tightening market conditions heading into the spring.

Ontario Introduces Temporary HST Relief on New Homes
The Government of Ontario has implemented a temporary HST relief measure on new homes, eliminating the full 13% tax on qualifying purchases for a one-year period beginning April 1, 2026. The policy provides rebates of up to $130,000 for homes valued below $1.5M, with reduced relief extending to homes priced up to $1.85M, as part of efforts to improve housing affordability and stimulate market activity. Industry observers suggest the measure could prompt increased buyer participation in the near term, particularly as lower prices and expanded incentives combine to move conditions in favour of purchasers.

GO Train Service to Extend to Stratford on Kitchener Line
The Government of Ontario has announced an extension of GO Transit rail service to Stratford, with operations set to begin on July 6, 2026 along the Kitchener Line. The new service will include one daily round trip connecting Stratford to Toronto, with intermediate stops in communities such as Kitchener, Guelph, and Brampton, supporting both commuter travel and regional tourism. The expansion forms part of the province’s investment in transit infrastructure aimed at improving connectivity across Southwestern Ontario.

B+H Architects Appoints Janine Grossmann to Lead Interior Design Business Development
B+H Architects has appointed Janine Grossmann as Senior Director, Business Development, Architecture + Design, strengthening its leadership in interior design across its Toronto and Vancouver studios. Grossmann will focus on expanding the firm’s Interior Design practice, supporting client growth, and advancing service delivery across architecture and design disciplines. She brings more than three decades of experience across commercial, institutional, and hospitality projects.

Ontario Increases Operating Funding for AGO and ROM
The Government of Ontario has announced an additional $21M in annual operating funding for the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum as part of its 2026 budget. The funding, representing the first permanent increase in nearly two decades, will support ongoing programming, exhibitions, and operations at the two institutions, which collectively attract close to 1.8 million visitors annually. 

Events & Awards

GWL Realty Advisors Unveils 9-Storey Digital Art Installation at Berczy Square
GWL Realty Advisors will unveil a nine-storey LED screen installation as part of a redesigned lobby at Berczy Square on April 23, 2026, with a media preview at 4:00 PM followed by a private event from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at 33 Yonge Street in Toronto’s Financial District. Designed by DIALOG and featuring generative artwork by Montreal-based Gentilhomme, the installation anchors a publicly accessible atrium. The launch comes as downtown office leasing shows signs of recovery, with the building reported to be nearly fully leased.

Voting Opens for BILD People’s Choice Award
BILD has opened public voting for its annual People’s Choice Award, inviting participants to select a favourite project from a shortlist of 11 finalists drawn from top categories, including low-rise, mid- and high-rise, and purpose-built rental developments. Voting is open until May 13, 2026, with the winner to be revealed at the BILD Awards Gala on May 28, 2026. 

BILD Announces Winners of 2026 RenoMark Awards
BILD has revealed the winners of the 2026 GTA RenoMark Awards, recognizing excellence in renovation and custom home building across 20 categories. This year’s program received 85 submissions, with top honours including Renovator of the Year awarded to Sunnylea Homes and Custom Builder of the Year to Lanescape, alongside multiple project-specific awards across residential renovation categories. Judged by a panel of industry professionals from across Canada, the awards highlight innovation, craftsmanship, and service standards among members of the RenoMark program.

CHBA to Host Home Building Week in Québec City
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association will host its annual Home Building Week from May 4 to 8, 2026, in Québec City, bringing together industry professionals from across Canada. The multi-day event will feature association meetings, educational sessions, and networking opportunities focused on current issues and trends in home building and renovation. The program also includes national awards and industry gatherings that highlight achievements across the residential construction sector.

Tarion to Host Spring Builder Update in Vaughan
Tarion will host its Spring Builder Update on May 19, 2026, at the Pinecrest Event Centre in Vaughan, offering a session for builders and renovator members focused on regulatory updates and industry practices. The event will include presentations on recent developments at Tarion, digital tools such as BuilderLink and Home Hub, and guidance on warranty processes, including conciliation and major structural defect claims. Attendees will also have the opportunity to review 2025 claim statistics and engage directly with Tarion staff during a Q&A.

* * *

Everyone, from construction workers to brokers to real estate executives are encouraged to share news with us to be featured in our weekly updates. If you have some industry-related news to share, let us know by contacting us here.