On March 12, 2026, the House of Commons passed Bill C-4,  Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act.   Part of this legislation includes the elimination of  the five per cent federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) on newly built homes priced at $1 million or less for eligible first-time buyers, and reduces it on homes between $1 million […]

2026 and Beyond – Development and Building Trends in Ontario

Ontario’s unique market, with its population density, urban sprawl, government regulation, labour and material costs, means the trends in this province differ from those in other provinces.   New-home approvals have become more complex, with single-family starts in some regions declining due to tighter regulations and labour constraints. Government-driven reforms: Ontario has introduced policies aimed at […]

London, Ontario Sets Record for Development Approvals and Housing Growth in 2025

“The City of London’s 2025 Annual Development Report and Q4 building services report shows a record-breaking year for residential development, including the highest number of housing units ever approved through building permits.” The city issued building permits for 5,462 new housing units last year, a 48% increase over 2024 and the highest annual total of […]

Researchfora’s International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology March 28 and 29, 2026

Researchfora is hosting an international conference on Science, Engineering, and Technology on March 28 and 29, 2026 at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel Toronto Airport West! ICSET will provide an excellent international forum for sharing knowledge and experiences in Science, Engineering & Technology. The aim of the Conference is to provide a platform to researchers, professionals, […]

Does Infusing Asphalt with Plastic Help Roads Last Longer and Resist Cracking under Extreme Temperatures?

Globally, more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced each year, and less than 10% is recycled. Much of the rest ends up burned, buried or drifting through waterways, a worsening problem. Traditional asphalt is made from a mix of stones, sand and a petroleum-based binder called bitumen, which holds everything together. In a […]

March is National Engineering Month

National Engineering Month, presented by Engineers Canada, is an annual campaign that takes place during the month of March and is designed to spark an interest in the next generation of engineering professionals and to celebrate the role that engineers play in society. It is Canada’s largest celebration of engineering excellence. During the month, thousands […]

Civil Engineering Warnings on Winter Risks on Long Curved Bridges After Kitchener Flyover Tragedy

Timothy Gates, a civil engineer professor at Michigan State University, does not see a problem with the Ontario Highway 7/8 flyover bridge.  It has a high barrier wall and a gradual curve that’s banked to help drivers navigate it. “Nothing about that screams that it’s not designed properly,” he said, examining an image of the […]

Darlington Refurbishment Project Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget

Minister Stephen Lecce announced a significant milestone in the government’s plan to protect Ontario with the completion of construction on the refurbishment of the Darlington Unit 4 nuclear reactor. The unit is now complete and will be returning to service four months ahead of schedule, the overall refurbishment project coming in $150 million under budget. […]

Ontario’s Bill 60 – Changes to the Construction Act

The Construction Act changes introduced through Bill 216 and Bill 60 came into effect on January 1, 2026. However, stakeholders should note that some of the changes, such as annual release of holdback, will be subject to transition provisions and will not come into effect immediately. Along with changes to the Construction Act, Bill 60 […]

Province of Ontario Bill 17 2026

Effective November 3, 2025, Bill 17 (Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025) legislated the deferral of DC payments until occupancy, meaning this specific incentive became provincial law rather than a local discretionary program.  Highlights of the changes include: most non-rental residential developments benefit from a deferral of development charges from the building permit stage […]