OM DENNE EPISODE
Welcome to the CRE podcast. 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate. What if the global geopolitical churn is actually creating opportunities to realign your portfolio?
In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, powered by First National, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk are joined by Tony Irwin, President and CEO at Rental Housing Canada, for his fourth appearance on the show, to unpack the policy decisions shaping Canada’s rental housing market. The conversation explores federal and provincial advocacy efforts, including Build Canada Homes, development charge relief, and landlord-tenant board reforms, while examining how government policy directly affects development, operations, and housing affordability.
Tony explains why long-term thinking is essential despite short-term market softness, and why stronger collaboration between industry and government is critical to solving the housing crisis. The episode offers practical insight for developers, owners, operators, and industry professionals navigating an increasingly policy-driven market.
What you will learn:
- How to navigate dual-level advocacy
- The Build Canada Homes opportunity and pitfalls
- Development charges reduction strategy
- Why landlord-tenant board reform directly impacts housing supply
- The danger of short-term thinking in housing markets
- How to engage in municipal elections strategically
Tony Irwin is the President & CEO of the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) and Rental Housing Canada (RHC), representing more than one million rental units nationwide. A respected advocate for Canada’s rental housing industry, he works closely with government and industry leaders on housing policy, affordability, and development reform. Before joining FRPO, Tony led the Canadian Consumer Finance Association and the Justin Eves Foundation. His background also includes senior political leadership roles, including serving as Senior Advisor to an Ontario Premier and Executive Assistant to the Leader of the Official Opposition.
The post Why Housing Policy Is Reshaping CRE Faster Than Markets, with Tony Irwin, President and CEO at Rental Housing Canada appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.
