Municipal
Affordability looms large in GTA housing market
The GTA housing market is on track to see a record year in resales, but there may be challenges on the horizon. And they have nothing to do with a bubble.
Spate of condo blazes sparks safety campaign
A spate of condo blazes in Alberta has reignited conversations about the perennial fire safety risk posed by cigarettes in multi-residential buildings.
Pan Am and the sport of short-term rentals
A security expert says condos need to have a plan for responding to short-term rentals ahead of tourist draws like the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.
Toronto puts energy reporting proposal on pause
An energy reporting requirement for large buildings is likely coming to Toronto. The only question is: Will it come from the city or from the province?
Barrie to debate garbage collection for condos
Barrie condo owners might soon get relief from “paying double” for garbage collection. City Council has agreed to cost into its 2015 budget either rebating
GTA housing market faces structural challenges
A weak diversity of housing choice, marked by the steady stream of ever-shrinking condo units, is one of three structural challenges facing the GTA housing
Builders’ use of Toronto streets back on agenda
A motion that contemplates curbing builders’ use of city streets during construction is in the hands of Toronto’s deputy city manager for “consideration and appropriate action”
T.O. mayoral candidates debate land transfer tax
Olivia Chow and John Tory challenged how and whether Doug Ford could deliver on a promise to phase out the municipal land transfer tax at
Defining outdoor views from bedrooms
A Toronto city councillor wants to know whether the building code requirement to provide outdoor views from bedrooms has been all but pushed out the
Toronto to curb builders’ use of public space?
A Toronto city councillor is proposing to curb the practice of allowing developers to occupy the public right-of-way. It’s a move that has surprised and
T.O.’s energy reporting consultations set for fall
City of Toronto staff have set out a fall to winter timeframe for consultations on the development of a proposed energy reporting bylaw for large buildings.
Toronto eyes time limit for elevator repairs
Property owners and managers may eventually face not only frustrated residents and tenants when elevators have to be taken offline, but also a time limit
When political canvassers come knocking
Condo boards and staff can't restrict political canvassers from reasonably accessing condominiums during municipal, provincial or federal elections.
Toronto condo renters to form association
The Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA) is reaching out to Toronto condo renters in an effort to help them form their own association.
Toronto priority neighbourhoods may increase
The number of Toronto priority neighbourhoods may rise to 31 from 22, due to changes in the criteria that the city uses to determine at-risk areas.
Ontario Municipal Board reform still polarizing
Calls for Ontario Municipal Board reform are on the rise. But the OMB is a contentious issue, and experts cannot agree on how to move forward.
Toronto’s land transfer tax remains unscathed
Despite vocal opposition from the real estate industry, attempts to reduce the Toronto land transfer tax in the 2014 budget have failed.