- Manuel Rodriguez
- Dec 9, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 10, 2025
by Manuel Rodriguez - President Las Flores Non Profit Housing Corporation
On December 8, as President of Las Flores, I attended the Canadian Club Toronto event Solving Canada’s Housing Crisis: What It Takes To Build More, Faster as a guest of EllisDon. I was invited by Nicholas Gefuchia and the EllisDon Community Builders team, who gathered leaders from government, development, labour, and urban planning for a timely and substantive discussion on Canada’s escalating housing challenges.
The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Toronto, where a VIP reception preceded the main panel. The conversations throughout the room reflected the urgency of Toronto’s situation: rapid population growth, limited supply, rising development costs, labour shortages, and zoning constraints continue to put pressure on families across income levels.
The panel brought together four respected voices shaping Canada’s housing landscape:
Ana Bailão, CEO of Build Canada Homes, offered a policy and government perspective informed by more than a decade on Toronto City Council.
Victoria Mancinelli, from the LiUNA Pension Fund, spoke to the role of labour, investment, and workforce capacity in accelerating delivery.
Jaime McKenna, President of Fengate Real Estate, addressed how developers are adapting capital, partnerships, and long-term strategy to respond to rising demand.
Naama Blonder, architect and urban planner, moderated with a focus on design, density, and practical city-building solutions.
The discussion highlighted the need for coordinated action between municipalities, industry, labour, and communities. Recurrent themes included streamlined approvals, innovative housing models, mixed-income development, and the importance of predictable policy frameworks to enable long-term investment.
During the reception and post-panel conversations, I had the opportunity to speak with professionals from EllisDon and other organizations committed to driving systemic solutions. Moments like these underscore the value of cross-sector collaboration for a challenge as complex as housing.
Ana Bailao delivered an excellent talk, highlighting EllisDon's and other builders ongoing leadership in community building, infrastructure, and housing delivery. Their efforts are crucial in creating a more accessible and equitable future for Canadians.
