Ottawa, October 1, 2025 – Over the past several weeks, the National Apartment Council, led by Founder and President Derek Lobo, has been actively engaging on key housing issues. Most recently, the Council met with senior leadership at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to share perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping Canada’s rental housing sector.
The National Apartment Council was created to provide a unified voice for private developers, strengthen advocacy efforts, and deliver actionable policy advice to government partners. Private apartment developers have built approximately 90% of Canada’s apartments, and National Apartment Council members have delivered a significant share of that housing. The Council plays a critical role in shaping solutions to Canada’s housing crisis.
During the meeting, Derek Lobo outlined priority objectives for the year ahead. These include advocating for a modernized Multi-Unit Residential Building (MURB) program, clarifying HST/GST treatment for new apartment construction, and fostering a strong, solution-focused dialogue with CMHC. Lobo emphasized the need for timely, predictable policy changes to address affordability and supply challenges and stressed the importance of industry unity and collaboration with government.
CMHC provided context on the agency’s programs, highlighting the legislative parameters that guide its work and encouraging the Council to continue offering specific, solution-driven recommendations. This exchange underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration between government and industry.
Looking forward, the National Apartment Council will be gathering member input on several key issues – including the proposed MURB program, vacancy rate assumptions in pro formas, and unit mix and design considerations – to inform follow-up discussions with CMHC.
The National Apartment Council is committed to advocating for policies that can be implemented quickly to support new rental supply and improve affordability for Canadians.