Submission to Build Canada Homes

An aerial image of Downtown Bracebridge's Manitoba St.

On behalf of the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce, we thank you for the opportunity to provide input into the design of Build Canada Homes. As the voice of business in Bracebridge, our advocacy aims at the critical link between housing affordability, workforce attraction, and economic prosperity.

Our community is heavily dependent on tourism and service-based industries. Local businesses are increasingly constrained by labour shortages, which are directly tied to the lack of attainable housing. Addressing housing supply and affordability is an economic necessity.

We would like to offer the following recommendations to Build Canada Homes, organized into areas where Build Canada Homes can directly lead.

1. Financing and De-risking Projects

Many purpose-built rental projects in Muskoka and across Canada have been approved but remain stalled. Build Canada Homes can:

Provide targeted financing support to make stalled purpose-built rental projects viable.
Focus on financing models that reduce private-sector risk and encourage shovels in the ground.

Find ways to de-risk smaller scale projects in low density rural areas for individuals (Off-grid, tiny homes, vacant land, etc)

2. Leveraging Surplus Public Land

Surplus lands owned by the federal government represent a major opportunity. Build Canada Homes can:

Prioritize affordable housing requirements in all government land sales.
Prioritize the sale of land in urban areas of smaller communities (Such as the former Canada Post and Service Canada building at 98 Manitoba St in Bracebridge)

Establish frameworks for partnerships with municipalities and non-profits to maximize the community benefit of land-based projects.

3. Partnerships with Community Land Trusts

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are uniquely positioned to secure perpetual affordability. Muskoka already has an active CLT. Build Canada Homes can:

Develop acquisition strategies with CLTs to preserve and expand affordable rental supply.
Pilot mixed-use developments (e.g., residential with ground-floor commercial) in partnership with local CLTs.

4. Innovation in Building and Design

Innovative construction methods and shared data tools will help accelerate delivery. Build Canada Homes can:

Invest in modular and 3D-printed housing pilot projects.
Support deployment of rural housing data tools (e.g., the Rural Housing Information System).
Facilitate knowledge-sharing across regions to spread successful innovations quickly.

5. Workforce Development in Skilled Trades

Labour shortages in construction remain a barrier to housing supply. Build Canada Homes can:

Integrate workforce development into its mandate, aligning housing investments with apprenticeship and training programs.
Work with partners to promote skilled trades careers

Local Info: Muskoka

5,843 housing units approved but stalled (As of Jan 2024)
Tourism-dependent economy: affordability pressures related to housing have a higher impact on accommodation and food services directly

To succeed, Build Canada Homes should focus on financing, land, partnerships, innovation, and workforce support while aligning with legislative changes pursued through other channels.

We strongly encourage Build Canada Homes to view housing affordability as inseparable from economic vitality. A strong housing market supports workforce attraction, business investment, and the long-term resilience of communities like Muskoka.