Toronto board of trade urges zoning reforms to support housing growth

The Toronto Region Board of Trade is calling on Ontario to change zoning and building code rules as part of an effort to speed up housing construction. The group says the province is not on track to meet its target of 1.5 million new homes by 2031. In a report released Thursday, the board said current forecasts suggest Ontario could fall more than 550,000 homes short of the pace needed by 2029. Board president and CEO Giles Gherson said the province's housing gap remains large and that fragmented rules are making development slower and more expensive. The report recommends a provincewide zoning framework, fewer local variations in rules, and changes to building codes that would reduce costs while keeping safety and accessibility in place. It also points to Edmonton as an example of a city that has allowed more flexible housing types in more neighborhoods. The board's call comes as Torontoarea home prices have eased over the past year, but affordability remains a concern for many residents. The report argues that lasting affordability depends on adding more housing supply.