A landmark housing conference held in Halifax on National Housing Day has concluded that significant, systemic changes are required to address Canada's deepening housing affordability and supply crisis.
A Full House for a Critical Conversation
The From Barriers to Blueprints: National Housing Day Summit 2025 took place at a Halifax hotel on November 24, 2025. The event, described as a first-of-its-kind gathering, drew a full room of attendees eager to tackle one of the country's most pressing issues.
Kevin Lee, the CEO of the Canadian Home Builders' Association, was a featured speaker, addressing the crowded summit. His participation underscored the critical role that builders play in translating policy discussions into tangible housing solutions.
Identifying the Path Forward
While the specific list of proposed changes was extensive, the core takeaway from the summit was clear: incremental adjustments are insufficient. The consensus among participants pointed toward a need for a comprehensive overhaul of processes and regulations that currently slow down construction and increase costs.
The conference served as a collaborative platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to move beyond simply identifying problems and begin formulating actionable blueprints for change.
Implications for Nova Scotia and Beyond
Although the summit carried a national focus, its location in Halifax highlighted the acute housing pressures felt in Nova Scotia and across Atlantic Canada. The insights generated are expected to inform policy discussions at multiple levels of government.
The identification of the need for many changes signals a potential shift in how Canada approaches housing development, with an emphasis on removing long-standing barriers to create more homes faster.
