Ontario Construction News staff writer
The West End Home Builders’ Association (WE HBA) applauds the provincial budget for investments in the skilled trades workforce and critical infrastructure needed for new housing.
“We warmly welcome the number the important investments within the budget today aimed at filling labour gaps and supporting critical infrastructure, so we can deliver keys to more families, faster,” WE HBA president Terri Johns said in a statement. “The residential construction industry is encouraged by today’s budget because it means the provincial government recognizes the need to build a strong foundation to construct the 1.5 million homes we need over the next decade, essential to restoring housing attainability in Ontario.”
An additional $75 million for the Skills Development Fund (SDF) is good news, Johns said, noting the Ontario Home Builder’ Association’s job ready program that helps introduce young people to careers in the skilled trades has been supported by the SDF in the past.
Furthermore, an investment of over $20 billion dollars for vital highway, transit and infrastructure projects will “create new links throughout our province, help connect people and underpin more housing options.”
“Today’s provincial budget takes important steps forward to help accelerate the delivery of housing supply in communities big and small across Ontario,” said WE HBA CEO Mike Collins-Williams. “Making it easier to get into the skilled trades and investing in crucial highway infrastructure will help make it possible for awaiting families to get the keys to their new home sooner and increase the volume and variety of housing options our province needs.
“Significantly increasing housing supply and variety is critical to ensuring Ontario can remain the economic engine of Canada. We will continue to champion investments and initiatives that increase housing supply and choice so that more Ontarians can find a place where they can live, work and raise a family.”