Author: Remington Group

Q&A with Jason Sheldon
Executive Vice-President, Land, The Remington Group, and Past BILD Chair

Your extended term as Chair of the Greater Toronto Area’s Building Industry and Land Development Association came to an end in 2023 and since then, you’ve had some time to reflect. It was a period during which the development industry was very much in the spotlight and faced significant challenges related to the Co-vid 19 pandemic, rising interest rates and provincial policy changes. Still, the need for housing and concerns about affordability were – and still remain – key topics in the Greater Toronto Area, keeping the building and development industries front and centre.

Q: When you began your term back in 2021, what were the challenges, in your mind, at that time?

A: When I assumed the role of Chair in January 2021, we were still very much in the thick of the pandemic. BILD’s key mandates were to (1) keep the industry working as an essential workplace as housing demand soared, and (2) work with our Board of Directors to restore the association’s financial sustainability. I’m proud to say BILD was successful in achieving both.

Q: Given that, what goals did you set for BILD?

A: To cement BILD as a collaborative and respected advocate for the development industry locally, provincially, and increasingly, federally.

Q: What were your greatest challenges?

A: New provincial housing bills introduced (namely, Bill 109 and Bill 23) that significantly changed the land use planning policy landscape as well as the establishment of the province-wide target of 1.5 million new homes against the backdrop of working to ensure government fees were capped; DC and parkland fees were challenged and reduced; tax treatment of purpose-built rentals changed; and identifying land to fulfill growth targets.

Q: What are your thoughts about what was achieved during your tenure?

A: There’s always work to be done, but I am very proud of the work that BILD was able to accomplish, and I believe BILD is in a position of strength going forward.

I was also very fortunate to be a part of the BILD 100 Gala, where company founders and families gathered for a celebration of the industry.

Q: In many ways, a lot of progress was made in terms of making the public at large aware of the planning process and the delays and challenges developers and builders face. That education is often the first hurdle to change.

A: We are in a housing crisis, as now recognized by all levels of government, and BILD will continue the public-facing campaign on the need to add more housing of all types to the GTA to ensure the demands of our growing population are met.

Q: Addressing the need for new housing, what needs to happen in order to facilitate the development and building of this much-needed supply?

A: BILD has succeeded in changing the public narrative and we now see a widespread consensus that increasing housing supply is the solution to the housing affordability challenges. And a significant component of this discussion includes removing the duplication of services, speeding up approval processes, facilitating housing choice, and making it easier to add housing density near transit.

Q: In your opinion, what other critical issues is the industry facing?

A: The policy changes brought forward by the province late last year are a significant impediment for our rapidly growing population; for the economic wellbeing of our region (the economic engine of Canada); for new home buyers; for housing supply and affordability in Ontario; for the provincial objective of building 1.5 million new homes, and for our industry.

Q:  Your tenure was certainly marked by unparalleled events, from the pandemic to surging interest rates and economic uncertainty. What advice do you have for new BILD Chair Katy Schofield as she begins her term?

A: Lean on the BILD team, your Board of Directors, volunteers, and the incredible members of our industry.

A heartfelt thank you to the Bratty family and The Remington Group team for their continued support during my tenure.

Toronto — Guests and dignitaries were on hand to support the Canadian introduction of “Let The Oppressed Go Free” – an epic sculpture created to shed a light on the dark world of human trafficking. The sculpture, by Canadian artist Timothy P. Schmaltz, was unveiled at St. Regis College, across from the grounds at Queen’s Park, on Thursday, October 5th, 2023.

The three ton, nearly 30-foot long bronze sculpture depicts nearly 100 figures – men, women and children – being freed from underground by St. Bakhita, a former slave and patron saint of the victims of human trafficking. The Toronto sculpture is a full-scale replica of the original, which resides in St. Bakhita’s adopted home town of Schio, Italy. Both sculptures were made possible by the generous support of the Rudolph P. Bratty Family Foundation.

“This is such an important issue that the R. P. Bratty Foundation felt a responsibility to shine a light on what is an international crisis against humanity,” said Christopher Bratty, who spoke at the unveiling on behalf of the family. “The fact that human trafficking is still occurring in this century is beyond appalling and cannot be ignored. We hope this sculpture will bring awareness to these horrific crimes and that through education we will all take the necessary action and work to eradicate human trafficking throughout the world.”

In Canada alone, statistics report that 96% of victims of human trafficking are women and girls, only 65% of incidents were reported to the police between 2010-2020, and 91% of victims of police reported incidents knew their attackers.

To learn more about the sculpture, please visit oppressedgofree.com.

Remington Homes Presentation Centres in Oakville, Georgetown and Thornhill officially re-opened their doors May 30 to assist customers looking to purchase a new Remington home this summer. Read more