Toronto Construction Stakeholders Address Key Issues as Mayoral Race Heats Up

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As Toronto's mayoral race approaches election day, construction industry leaders emphasize the importance of communication with candidates regarding pressing industry issues.

As the Toronto mayoral race enters its final month, construction stakeholders across the Greater Toronto Area are closely monitoring the developments. Polls indicate a competitive showdown between incumbent mayor Olivia Chow and former challenger Brad Bradford, with Chow currently leading by a narrow margin. A recent survey conducted by Liaison Strategies, known as the Toronto Pulse survey, revealed that Chow holds 47 percent support among decided and leaning voters, while Bradford follows closely with 40 percent. Former Conservative cabinet minister Chris Alexander trails significantly at 10 percent. With election day set for October 2, the construction community is keen to ensure their concerns are heard without publicly endorsing any candidate. John Mollenhauer, CEO of the Toronto Construction Association (TCA), emphasized the importance of remaining bipartisan. "We stay out of politics and focus on ensuring that candidates are aware of the issues that matter the most to us," he stated. The TCA has identified procurement strategies, including a push for 'Buy Canadian' initiatives and addressing construction bylaw restrictions, as critical priorities. Mollenhauer expressed a desire to encourage the use of Canadian materials and services within the construction sector, although he acknowledged that current regulations can pose challenges. Reflecting on recent years, he noted that legislation aimed at mitigating downtown traffic congestion and noise has sometimes hindered necessary construction efforts. "New regulations often increase construction costs," he remarked. Richard Lyall, president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by permitting and approvals, which he believes are significant barriers to housing development. While Chow has claimed improvements in the approvals process, Lyall argues that the industry continues to face extensive red tape and delays. "Many in the industry feel that while approvals may be on the rise, actual construction is not keeping pace," he said. He pointed out that the city’s reluctance to adapt zoning regulations, such as those related to single staircases, contributes to these delays. Karen Renkema, Ontario vice-president of the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA), noted that voters are increasingly looking for candidates who can effectively manage costs and enhance value in construction projects. She criticized Toronto's restrictive procurement policies, stating that they exclude many qualified local contractors from bidding on public projects due to union affiliations. According to Renkema, opening the bidding process could save the city approximately $347 million annually. Giovanni Cautillo, president of the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA), reiterated the association's commitment to collaborating with the eventual winner of the mayoral race. He mentioned a report from KPMG that includes 31 recommendations aimed at improving procurement processes, which the OGCA has long advocated for. He stressed the need for transparency in capital project forecasting, as inaccurate timelines can erode trust in the city’s commitments. Similarly, Patrick McManus, executive director of the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTWCA), called for greater consistency in municipal infrastructure investment. He expressed concern about the industry's cyclical nature and the need for predictable investment patterns. McManus emphasized the importance of efficiently bringing approved capital programs to market through measures such as earlier tendering and coordinated planning. As the election approaches, Toronto's construction stakeholders are united in their efforts to communicate their priority issues to candidates, hoping for a future that addresses the industry's critical needs.

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