Statement re: COVID-19
The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) is adapting to the constantly evolving situation. The HCRA continues to follow the guidance of federal, provincial and local health authorities to ensure that we protect the health and well-being of all Ontarians.
Current Status Tarion
Currently, new home builders and vendors are registered by , the administrator of Ontario’s New Home Warranty and Protection Program.
The HCRA will assume the registration/licensing responsibilities held by . Until the HCRA's launch, all registration inquiries should continue to be directed to .
As a standalone licensing regulator under a new framework set out in the , the HCRA will be in a position to take decisive regulatory action when needed to protect consumers, while working with all builders and vendors to improve the quality of construction in Ontario and improve confidence in buying a new home.
About HCRA
The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) will be the province’s new regulator of home builders and vendors, acting in accordance with the , when proclaimed.
Our Future Role:
- The Home Construction Regulatory Authority will be responsible for regulating and licensing the people and companies who build and sell new homes in Ontario.
- The HCRA will enforce high professional standards for competence and conduct in the home building industry, giving new home buyers confidence in one of the biggest purchases of their lives. The HCRA will also improve consistency across the sector, curtailing unethical and illegal builders and fostering a fair marketplace.
- In addition to licensing, the HCRA will provide educational information for consumers on their home buying journey.
- The HCRA will manage the Ontario Builder Directory (OBD) – which is the official source of background information about each of Ontario’s more than 5,000 licensed builders/vendors.
Highlights
For many Ontarians, buying a new home is likely one of the biggest purchases of their lives – and it should be protected with care.
The Home Construction Regulatory Authority will protect home buyers by working to ensure that all new home builders and vendors in Ontario act with honesty and integrity, have the necessary technical skills to build homes, the financial capacity to run a home building operation, and the knowledge and capacity to offer warranty protection on new homes.
The HCRA will:
Be accountable to the government and provide transparency to the public
Promote high-quality new home construction
Implement higher standards to improve consumer protection
Be a self-sustaining, cost-efficient entity that will be supported by appropriate licensing fees
Develop a strong risk-management framework to inform compliance and enforcement activities
Use new regulatory tools and systems to act more quickly and effectively in response to consumer concerns
Government Oversight
The is responsible for legislative changes to the . While the HCRA is involved in identifying and developing policy improvements on an ongoing basis, it will primarily be responsible for the delivery of delegated services and programs.
The HCRA’s Administrative Agreement with the Minister of Government and Consumer Services sets out detailed expectations for the relationship between the HCRA and the provincial government. will monitor the performance of the HCRA through accountability mechanisms including business plans and annual reports.
Administrative Agreement (PDF)
Information Sharing With Tarion
For the HCRA to successfully fulfil its mandate as regulator, it would need to be fully informed about the conduct and competence of home builders and vendors, including fulfilment of their warranty obligations under the New Home Warranty and Protection Program currently administered by . Arrangements are being made with to ensure full information sharing, and adherence to legislation governing privacy of information.
Board of Directors
Chair Virginia West
- Former Deputy Minister in the Ontario government, with five portfolios over 12 years: Solicitor General, Public Safety and Security, Environment, Labour, and Natural Resources.
- Lawyer by profession with an MBA from the University of Toronto.
- Leadership positions in municipal government: Commissioner of City Property for the City of Toronto, Chief Administrative Officer for the Borough of East York and the first Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development for the amalgamated City of Toronto.
- Current Vice-Chair of the Board of Unity Health Toronto (the amalgamated hospitals of St. Michael's, St. Joseph’s and Providence) and Board Director of the Canadian Red Cross; formerly served on Boards of various community organizations and Crown Agencies.
Director Hugh Heron
- President of Heathwood Homes & Heron Homes.
- For over 30 years, has served in leadership positions at some of the home construction industry’s most important institutions:
- Former chair of Tarion.
- Past President of both the Greater Toronto and Ontario Home Builders’ Associations.
- Former senior board member of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
- Chairman, spokesman and key advocate of The Mikey Network.
Director Mary Kardos Burton
- Former Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ontario government with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in a variety of portfolios.
- Held various consulting assignments in health and social services including Chair of the Built Environment Standards for the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario and Interim Vice President for Health Quality Ontario.
- Served as a public member on the Council for the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
- Currently on the board of Belmont House (a long-term care and retirement home) as past Board Chair.
Director Michael Lio
- President of buildABILITY Corporation, a firm specializing in improving buildings across Canada. He has been an active consumer advocate since 1983.
- Served as a director on Markham District Energy Inc, the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, the Electrical Safety Authority, and Tarion Warranty Corporation.
- Taught in the architecture programs at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University. In 2014, was selected to act as a mentor by the Hatchery at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering.
- Member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario.
Director Av Maharaj
- Chief Administrative Officer & Vice President, Legal, Corporate Affairs, and HR for Kraft Heinz Canada.
- Former Counsel at Fasken Martineau.
- Held senior positions at the Kellogg Company.
- Founding executive sponsor of the Kellogg Canada Diversity & Inclusion Council.
- Former Chair of Legal Leaders for Diversity, and a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
Director Marg Rappolt
- Strategic leader in public policy and human service transformation.
- Worked for 36 years in two provincial administrations (Ontario and Saskatchewan), retiring in 2014.
- Former Deputy Minister with the Ontario government with portfolios including: Community and Social Services, Health and Long-Term Care, Health Promotion, Seniors, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Ministry of the Attorney General.
- Member of the Board of Directors of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
Interim Chief Executive Officer Tim Hadwen
Tim Hadwen is the Interim CEO of the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA). He joined the HCRA in May 2019 from the Ontario Public Service where he most recently had been the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of Community, Mental Health and Addictions and French Language Services at the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care.
Previously, Tim was the ADM of Education Labour Relations, Ministry of Education, and Director of Legal Services at both the Ministry of Government Services and the Ministry of Labour. Tim has a comprehensive knowledge of government processes, success at leading complex change, significant experience in the regulatory environment, and a strong legal background.