Housing, construction and public policy leaders in Canada are preparing to meet for the Canada Builds Modular Summit, taking place on October 23 at the Globe and Mail Center in Toronto. Co-organized by Collecdev-Markee Developments and The Keesmaat Group, the sold-out event aims to provide a coordinated path to the nationwide expansion of modular and factory-built housing. Bringing together representatives from all levels of government, Indigenous housing organizations, financial institutions and developers, the summit is designed to address one of Canada's most pressing challenges: How to build more homes, faster, through innovation in construction, financing and permitting systems.
The upcoming summit builds on work first launched as part of the Factory Built Solutions Lab, a Keesmaat Group initiative that examined how modular housing can be used more effectively on public land. This research has evolved into a national forum bringing together policymakers, developers, financiers and manufacturers with the common goal of expanding factory-built housing as a mainstream delivery model. The aim of the summit is to transform a series of regional pilot projects into a cohesive national strategy.
Collecdev-Markee's growing missing middle rental portfolio also reflects the same principles, using modular and mass timber construction to accelerate the delivery of housing while improving long-term sustainability. The company's first project at 2720-2734 Danforth Avenue, designed by Batay-Csorba Architects, is an eight-story, 64-unit, purpose-built rental project.
Looking north at 2720 Danforth Avenue, designed by Batay-Csorba for Collecdev-Markee Developments
“The driving force behind the event is the recognition that success requires more than just innovation in the way we build,” said Jennifer Keesmaat, CEO of Collecdev-Markee and The Keesmaat Group. “We must collectively coordinate how we approve and fund modular housing while increasing public awareness and support for it as a source of high-quality, permanent housing.”
Canada's housing deficit continues to grow, with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) estimating that annual housing starts will need to nearly double (between 430,000 and 480,000 units) to meet projected demand. Rising construction costs, lengthy approvals and a shortage of skilled workers have meant that traditional construction methods can no longer keep up.
The modular design offers a practical alternative. By moving much of the work to controlled factory environments, projects can be completed 30 to 50% faster, with better quality control, less material waste and less pressure on on-site workers.
Mayor Olivia Chow is scheduled to open the summit, followed by remarks from Jennifer Keesmaat and Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson. The morning will include a fireside chat on building an ecosystem to support modular growth, as well as discussions on using public lands for affordable housing and driving innovation through coordinated procurement and development frameworks.
Speakers Jennifer Keesmaat, CEO of Collecdev-Markee Developments, and Mayor Olivia Chow, images courtesy of Collecdev-Markee Developments
Carolynna Gabriel, Head of Development at Collecdev-Markee, will moderate a session on “Modular Transition from Pilot to Policy,” featuring Alex Mather of Collecdev-Markee, Deanna Grinnell of Canada Lands Company and other experts exploring how financing, planning and permitting can be adjusted to accommodate factory-built delivery support. Later sessions, led by Danbi Lee of Collecdev-Markee and representatives from Toronto Community Housing, BC Builds and CreateTO, will address the practical realities of scaling supply chains, workforce readiness and site preparation for faster, coordinated modular construction.
In parallel with the conference sessions, the Innovation Expo will showcase technologies, materials and partnerships that are shaping the next generation of modular construction. Exhibitors include PwC, ATCO Structures, Element5, Canada Lands Company, HGC Acoustics and the University of Toronto School of Cities. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience factory-built prototypes, financing tools and workforce training models that demonstrate how innovations in design and manufacturing can shorten delivery times and strengthen quality standards.
The final session, “Blueprint to Breakthrough: Scaling Modular Housing Across Canada,” will focus on maintaining cross-sector collaboration beyond the event. Ultimately, the goal of the summit is to develop lessons learned from pilot projects into long-term implementation frameworks.
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