Consumer Perspective Panel Concerning Implications of the Intensification of Residential Housing
Background
The skyline of southern Ontario’s Toronto-centred region has undergone remarkable changes. Post-war bursts of high-rise office and apartment construction were followed by recession in the 1990s, and then an even bigger wave of residential building. The last decade’s construction boom is based in large measure on intensification policies that have produced several results – important among them are taller residential buildings and denser neighbourhoods. What is the impact from the consumer perspective?
In order to inform itself around this question, the Consumers Council of Canada, first, prepared a discussion paper that provided context to the process of residential intensification, including a sketch of the regulatory environment, a description of how consumer rights and responsibilities are being affected, and the identification of four large, subject related information gaps. The gaps the Council identified were:
- the absence of a smart consumer toolkit that would better inform the purchase decision for a condominium,
- provincial policy direction for local planners who lack sufficient statutory powers,
- better information on how new residential buildings will perform both pre- and post-occupancy, and
- reasons for the lack of new rental housing as an alternative to the purchase of a new condominium.
The Panel
The Council next facilitated a multi-year, multi-stakeholder panel process to carry out a program of research, consultation and collaboration aimed at defining the landscape of consumer rights and responsibilities as affected by the intensification of residential housing. It is hoped this work can help prepare for and avoid consumer rights problems and create awareness of consumer needs, expectations and touchstones of satisfaction.
The panel’s work culminated in a report prepared by the Council that makes use of panel discussions, background research and conclusions facilitated by the Council. While the Panel is primarily advisory in nature, it has developed a report that includes consensus recommendations and a statement of matters considered but that did not resolve to a consensus.
