Welcome to the 2024 Northern Ontario Housing Summit, presented by Enbridge Gas

Ontario is in the midst of a housing crisis, with impacts rippling through communities across the province. The provincial government has established a goal of 1.5 million new homes by 2031, but achieving this ambitious goal demands a unified and collaborative effort – And that’s exactly what today’s summit is all about.

Today, we have gathered some of the brightest minds in Ontario’s home building industry – from policy-makers, regulators, builders, planners, architects, academics, suppliers, manufacturers, and many more – all united by the goal of accelerating growth and development in Northern Ontario.

Together, we will explore the unique challenges facing our industry in Northern Ontario, including the repercussions of illegal building and the evolving landscape of code compliance. We will also examine the factors impacting growth and development, and collaborate on ways to unlock Northern Ontario’s full economic potential.

We have a fantastic lineup of speakers, including representatives from all three levels of government, and panel discussions that are sure to spark engaging conversations among experts from all areas of the public and private sectors.

Together, we will tackle the unique challenges faced in Northern Ontario, explore innovative solutions, and collaborate as a region to ensure sufficient housing supply for residents now and into the future.

Thank you for being a part of today’s conversation!

AGENDA

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM – REGISTRATION & NETWORKING

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM – OPENING REMARKS

  • Derek Cashmore, President, Sudbury & District Home Builders’ Association
  • Presenting Sponsor – Enbridge Gas
  • Dave Depencier, President, Ontario Home Builders’ Association

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM – NORTHERN HORIZONS: UNLOCKING ECONOMIC POTENTIAL

Explore the economic landscape of Northern Ontario, including opportunities for growth and development. Hear from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments on current and future growth and the steps they are taking to accelerate housing supply and development in Northern Ontario.

Moderator:

Scott Andison, CEO, Ontario Home Builders’ Association

Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA), Scott Andison, is a seasoned leader with a diverse background in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.

With executive roles in these sectors and notable positions within the Ontario government, including serving in ministries of Finance and Education, Andison demonstrates expertise in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and program implementation.

His tenure as President & CEO of the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) solidified his passion for advocacy and association management within the housing sector.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Administration in Management and Business Administration from Laurentian University. His commitment to continued professional development is underscored by executive certificates in Negotiation from Harvard Law School, Management and Leadership from MIT Sloan School of Management, and Governance from Queen’s University.

Panelists:

MP Scott Aitchison, MP Parry Sound-Muskoka, Conservative Party of Canada, Shadow Minister for Housing

A small town Mayor at heart, Scott Aitchison is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Parry Sound – Muskoka. Scott was twice elected Mayor of Huntsville Ontario, and was first elected as Huntsville Town and Muskoka District Councillor at the age of 21.

Scott’s passion for housing comes from a proven track record of getting the job done. He was the Chair of Planning in his community for over 15 years where he helped grow Huntsville into the booming town it is today. He is still a licensed REALTOR. He is a strong supporter of Community Living, Habitat for Humanity, and YWCA, where as Mayor and Councillor he helped housing providers build the social housing people needed in Huntsville and the District of Muskoka.

Parry Sound-Muskoka first elected Scott as their voice in Ottawa in 2019, and today he serves as the Shadow Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion in the Conservative Party.

His Worship, Paul Lefebvre, Mayor, City of Greater Sudbury

Paul Lefebvre was elected Mayor of Greater Sudbury on October 24, 2022, and assumed office on November 15, 2022. He also serves as a board member of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation and the Greater Sudbury Police Services Board.

Lefebvre was twice elected Member of Parliament for the riding of Sudbury, serving from 2015 to 2021. During his time with the federal government, he sat on the Public Accounts and Official Languages Committees before being appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources.  He was an engaged and dedicated contributor to the Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan. In June 2019, he represented Canada at the Energy and Environmental G20 Summit in Japan.

He is an accomplished business owner, has a long standing history as an active member of the community and has served on many local community services boards.

11:00 AM – 11:50 PM – HONEST BUILDING: LICENSING AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS

Learn about the regulatory process of home building, from municipal permitting to licensed building. Hear from the City of Greater Sudbury on the permitting process, including the new e-permitting platform, followed by presentations from Tarion and the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) on the warranty and licensing process.  The session will conclude with a panel discussion on the industry-wide repercussions of illegal building and potential solutions for change.

Moderator:

Rick Martins, Chair, OHBA Regulatory Affairs Committee +  Vice President, Huron Creek Developments

Rick Martins served as the President of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association from 2018-2019 and has since served in several committee positions, including Chair of the OHBA Regulatory Affairs Committee. He also sat on the OHBA Tarion Nominations Committee for many years.  A long-time and active leader in Ontario’s building community, Rick was also the President of the Brantford Home Builders’ Association in 2011.  Today, Rick is Vice President of Huron Creek Developments, where he oversees all aspects of the new home construction business.

Panelists:

Peter Balasubramanian, CEO, Tarion

Peter Balasubramanian joined Tarion in January 2004 as Corporate Counsel, after practicing for several years at Torys LLP. In 2009, he took on the role of Vice President, Claims, and in 2014, Vice President, Licensing & Underwriting. Peter became Senior Vice President, Strategy in 2018 and Chief Operating Officer in 2019.  On January 1, 2020, Peter became President & Chief Executive Officer.  Peter obtained his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario bar in 1999.

Wendy Moir, CEO and Registrar, Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA)

Wendy Moir joined the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) as CEO & Registrar in April 2021. Prior to joining the HCRA, Wendy served as the Vice-President and Registrar, Licensing and Consumer Services at BC Housing. Wendy has over 20 years of experience in the licensing and regulation of professionals, legislative and policy development, construction, housing, and consumer protection. She has led important initiatives to increase the quality of residential construction and strengthen consumer protection. Wendy has degrees in both law and political science from the University of Calgary.

Denise Clement, Manager of Permits & Approvals Integration, City of Greater Sudbury

As the Manager of Permits and Approval Integration for the Building Services section, Denise is responsible for managing a highly effective team of administrative professionals who oversee the Building Permit, Project Research, and Data Management processes of the Building Services section.  She is responsible for the integration and monitoring of development approvals within the City of Greater Sudbury and with external agencies relating to the Ontario Building Code and applicable laws.

Denise started her career in the residential construction industry 19 years ago, coordinating construction projects and implementing phases of subdivision within Greater Sudbury.  During that time, she served on the Board of Directors for the Sudbury & District Home Builders Association where she also took a seat on the Builder’s Advisory Group with Tarion and sat as Vice-Chair for the Committee of Adjustment with the City of Greater Sudbury.  Denise is a member of the Ontario Building Officials Association with a qualification in Legal Process for Building Officials and Designers and is pursuing studies in Land Use Planning and Zoning Enforcement.

Louie Zagordo, President, SLV Homes

Louie is the Principal Owner of family run business, SLV Homes. Regarded as one of Ontario’s premier small builders, SLV Homes specializes in custom builds and renovations, promising every client “Style, Luxury and Value.” Louie’s career in residential construction spans over 30 years. Starting with a hand shovel and working his way through all the stages of the industry, Louie has a passion for building and the betterment of the Ontario Home Building industry. Louie served as President of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association from 2022-2023, and has served across several association committees, including Regulatory Affairs.

11:50 AM – 12:00 PM – SPECIAL REMARKS

MP Viviane Lapointe, MP Sudbury, Liberal Party of Canada

Viviane Lapointe is the proud Member of Parliament for Sudbury. She was first elected as MP for Sudbury in 2021. Viviane has been appointed by the Federal Government to two Standing Committees — Natural Resources and most recently, National Defense, where she advocates to address challenges, eliminate barriers, and foster a resilient economy for northern Ontario. Viviane also serves as Chair of the Northern Ontario Caucus, and Chair of Women’s Caucus Sub-Committee.

12:00 PM – 12:50 PM – LUNCH

12:50 PM – 1:00 PM – SPECIAL REMARKS

MPP Jamie West, MPP Sudbury, New Democratic Party of Ontario, Critic for Labour, Training & Skills Development

First elected in 2018, MPP Jamie West is a dedicated advocate for the people of Sudbury, representing them as a New Democrat in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He serves as the Official Opposition critic for Labour, Training, and Skills Development.  Jamie is a strong voice for the community and has a well-rounded background. Having faced poverty at a young age, West has dedicated his career to giving back to others and pushing for government services that lift people up.  Jamie’s advocacy reflects his genuine belief in a more fair and prosperous future for Ontarians.

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM – EVOLVING BUILDING CODES: NAVIGATING THE PATH FORWARD

Examine the evolving landscape of code compliance. Gain valuable insights into the 2024 Ontario Building Code (OBC), including the transition provisions and key implementation dates. Then, hear about the priority areas for the 2025 and 2030 National Building Code(NBC), with future impacts on the OBC. This session will conclude with a panel discussion on code compliance, and our experts will answer your pressing questions.

Moderator:

Mike Memme, 1st Vice President, OHBA + Operations Manager, Mountainview Building Group

Mike Memme is the Operations Manager at Mountainview Building Group in the Niagara Region. They have been building low rise homes in the Niagara Region since 1979 and over the last five years have branched into the midrise market as well. Mike has a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo, has been president of the Niagara Home Builders’ Association, and is currently acting as 2nd Vice President of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association. Mike was previously Chair of the Tarion Liaison committee and has contributed to the development of the Tarion Construction Performance Guidelines.

Panelists:

Pat Daniels, Chair, OHBA Technical Committee + General Manager Construction Operations, Glenview Homes

Pat Daniels, General Manager of Construction Operations at Glenview Homes, in the residential construction industry close to 30 years.  Former Chair of the Builder Trade Council for GOHBA, Current GOHBA President, member of the OHBA Board of Directors and CHBA Board of Directors, and Chair of the OHBA Technical Committee, pat is heavily involved in the association and forwarding the interests of members across the province. Pat has participated in many task groups, including, but limited too, the Tarion’s CPG Guidelines, the amalgamation of Building Code, and the High-Performance Guideline task group.

Matt Farrell, President and Executive Director, Alliance of Canadian Building Officials Association

Matt Farrell is the President and Executive Director for the Alliance of Canadian Building Officials Associations. He currently represents ACBOA on the Advisory Council for Harmonized Construction Codes and has consulted with all levels of government on how to increase the supply of housing while maintaining building safety. His work with ACBOA focuses on creating training and resources for building officials across Canada as well as developing relationships with industry stakeholders.

Matt was previously President of the Ontario Building Officials Association and has 23 years experience as a Chief Building Official and Manager of Building and Planning.

Guido Mazza, Chief Building Official, City of Greater Sudbury

Guido has the City of Greater Sudbury’s Director of Building Services/Chief Building Official since its amalgamation in 2000.  Prior to that Guido was employed as the Chief Building Official/Director of Building Services for the former Regional Municipality since 1995, and from 1993 to 1995, Guido was employed by the Region as the Chief Building Inspector. Guido is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, and the Canadian Society of Civil Engineering. Guido was educated at the University of Toronto where he attained his Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering in 1978. Guido has obtained a Masters Certificate in Municipal Management from the Schulich School of Business, at York University.

Carol Skanes, Building Services Plans Examination, City of Greater Sudbury

Employed by the City of Greater Sudbury Building Services Plans Examination Section for 8 years, Carol brings over 35 years of Architectural / Engineering experience and proficiency with the Ontario Building Code to the department serving the Citizens of Sudbury in all aspects of building development and construction. Her primary role with Building Services is managing a team of dedicated Plans Examiners and providing support for corporate planning, strategic initiatives, and performance improvements.

Carol is a Certified Building Code Official (CBCO) and member of the Ontario Building Officials Association. Her education background is in the field of Architectural Design and Drafting. With experience in both the private and public sector, she understands the needs of property owners as well as the necessary steps required to ensure viable and safe development within our city. Carol is passionate in providing sound and innovative solutions to meet customer service expectations.

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM – BREAK

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM – BUILDING FOR TOMORROW: TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS IN SUDBURY

Sudbury is evolving rapidly, driven by significant population changes and urban growth. The City of Greater Sudbury will take us through how these demographic shifts are impacting long-term planning, affecting everything from housing to infrastructure. Highlighting key projects like the Arena and Industrial Park, we will discuss how these initiatives support economic resilience, accommodate a shifting population, and enhance the overall quality of life in Sudbury.

Speakers:

Keith Crigger, Manager of Investment and Business Development, City of Greater Sudbury

Keith Crigger is the Manager of Investment and Business Development for the City of greater Sudbury.  Keith was born in Sudbury and achieved his Bachelor Degree in Economics from Laurentian University.  He then pursued a post graduate education in Information Technology which began a career in software culminating at the City of Greater Sudbury from 2007 to 2010.  From there, Keith became an entrepreneur, opening a specialty coffee shop in British Columbia which, along with partners, successfully turned into a local chain.  He moved on to a career in banking with the Royal Bank eventually coming home to Sudbury as a Commercial Account Manager.  In 2019, Keith came back to the public sector with the City and joined the Economic Development department in his current role in March of 2022.

Melissa Riou, Senior Planner, Long-Range Planning, City of Greater Sudbury

Melissa Riou is a Senior Planner with the Strategic and Environmental Planning Section of the Planning Services Division with the City of Greater Sudbury. She is a Registered Professional Planner and a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. Melissa has a B.A. (Hons) in Geography from Laurentian University and a Master of Applied Environmental Studies (MAES) from the University of Waterloo. Melissa’s work focuses on policy development, affordable housing, and community improvement plans. Melissa was the Director of Planning for the Sudbury East Planning Board from 2011 to 2016. Prior to that she was a Planner with Oxford County from 2005-2011.

Steven Beites, Professor, Laurentian University McEwen School of Architecture

Steven Beites is a Professor at the Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture. Steven’s research operates at the intersection of technology, environmental stewardship and social responsibility, deeply rooted on addressing issues of housing supply and affordability. At its core, his work aims to transform the affordable housing landscape in Northern Ontario through the integration of low-carbon design, robotics, prefab and advanced fabrication. With emphasis placed on locally sourced bio-based materials and automated construction practices, Steven’s research not only seeks to improve the efficiency and affordability of housing but also plays a critical role in decarbonizing our built environment.

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM – CLOSING REMARKS

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

 

LOCAL SPONSORS

           

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM – REGISTRATION & NETWORKING


10:00 AM – 10:15 AM – OPENING REMARKS

  • Derek Cashmore, President, Sudbury & District Home Builders’ Association
  • Dave Depencier, President, Ontario Home Builders’ Association
  • Presenting Sponsor – Enbridge Gas

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM – NORTHERN HORIZONS: UNLOCKING ECONOMIC POTENTIAL

Explore the economic landscape of Northern Ontario, including opportunities for growth and development. Hear from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments on current and future growth and the steps they are taking to accelerate housing supply and development in Northern Ontario.

Moderator: Scott Andison, CEO, Ontario Home Builders’ Association

Panelists:

MP Scott Aitchison, MP Parry Sound – Muskoka, Conservative Party of Canada, Shadow Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

MPP Will Bouma, MPP Brantford-Brant, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Northern Development

His Worship, Paul Lefebvre, Mayor, City of Greater Sudbury


11:00 AM – 11:50 PM – HONEST BUILDING: LICENSING AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS

Learn about the regulatory process of home building, from municipal permitting to licensed building. Hear from the City of Greater Sudbury on the permitting process, including the new e-permitting platform, followed by presentations from Tarion and the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) on the warranty and licensing process.  The session will conclude with a panel discussion on the industry-wide repercussions of illegal building and potential solutions for change.

Moderator: Rick Martins, Chair, OHBA Regulatory Affairs Committee +  Vice President, Huron Creek Developments

Panelists:

Peter Balasubramanian, CEO, Tarion

Wendy Moir, CEO and Registrar, Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA)

Denise Clement, Manager of Permits & Approvals Integration, City of Greater Sudbury

Louie Zagordo, President, SLV Homes


11:50 AM – 12:00 PM – SPECIAL REMARKS

MP Viviane Lapointe, MP Sudbury, Liberal Party of Canada


12:00 PM – 12:50 PM – LUNCH


12:50 PM – 1:00 PM – SPECIAL REMARKS

MPP Jamie West, MPP Sudbury, New Democratic Party of Ontario, Critic for Labour, Training & Skills Development


1:00 PM – 2:30 PM – EVOLVING BUILDING CODES: NAVIGATING THE PATH FORWARD

Examine the evolving landscape of code compliance. Gain valuable insights into the 2024 Ontario Building Code (OBC), including the transition provisions and key implementation dates. Then, hear about the priority areas for the 2025 and 2030 National Building Code(NBC), with future impacts on the OBC. This session will conclude with a panel discussion on code compliance, and our experts will answer your pressing questions.

Moderator: Mike Memme, 1st Vice President, OHBA + Operations Manager, Mountainview Building Group

Panelists:

Pat Daniels, Chair, OHBA Technical Committee + General Manager Construction Operations, Glenview Homes

Matt Farrell, President and Executive Director, Alliance of Canadian Building Officials Association

Guido Mazza, Chief Building Official, City of Greater Sudbury

Carol Skanes, Building Services Plans Examination, City of Greater Sudbury


2:30 PM – 2:45 PM – BREAK


2:45 PM – 3:45 PM – BUILDING FOR TOMORROW: TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS IN SUDBURY

Sudbury is evolving rapidly, driven by significant population changes and urban growth. The City of Greater Sudbury will take us through how these demographic shifts are impacting long-term planning, affecting everything from housing to infrastructure. Highlighting key projects like the Arena and Industrial Park, we will discuss how these initiatives support economic resilience, accommodate a shifting population, and enhance the overall quality of life in Sudbury.

Speakers:

Keith Crigger, Manager of Investment and Business Development, City of Greater Sudbury

Melissa Riou, Senior Planner, Long-Range Planning, City of Greater Sudbury

Steven Beites, Professor, Laurentian University McEwen School of Architecture


3:45 PM – 4:00 PM – CLOSING REMARKS

CORPORATE SPONSORS

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