2026 Annual Meeting
September 10, 2026
Recording of the Home Construction Regulatory Authority’s (HCRA) Annual Meeting held on September 10, 2026.
The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) held its 2026 Annual Meeting on September 10, 2026, providing stakeholders and members of the public with an opportunity to learn about the HCRA’s work over the past year and priorities for the year ahead.
During the meeting, HCRA leadership provided updates on the organization’s efforts to protect homebuyers, promote professionalism and accountability in Ontario’s new home building sector, and strengthen confidence in the province’s new home market.
The HCRA will be following up with anyone whose questions weren’t answered during the meeting. A summary of the general questions and responses is available below.
General Questions & Answers
The HCRA takes illegal building very seriously. All complaints about suspected illegal building are reviewed and investigated. Complaints are prioritized by risk level. The steps taken depend on the specific case, including how many reports have been submitted, whether the builder continues to build illegally, and what evidence is available.
There is no single average resolution time because timelines vary significantly depending on the circumstances of each case, including its complexity, the amount of evidence available, and the level of risk involved. The HCRA handles a wide range of complaints. Some can be resolved quickly through the early resolution process, while more complex or higher-risk matters may take longer to resolve.
KPMG recently informed the HCRA that it will not stand for reappointment as the organization’s external auditor. As a result, the HCRA will run a competitive procurement process to select a new external auditor. KPMG has completed the audit of the HCRA’s March 31, 2026, financial statements and has indicated that it will work cooperatively with the HCRA and any successor auditor to support an orderly transition. The HCRA remains committed to strong financial oversight, transparency, and accountability throughout this process.
KPMG advised the HCRA that its decision was based on its own review of audit practice commitments and resources. The HCRA appreciates KPMG’s service and is focused on ensuring a smooth transition through a competitive procurement process for a new external auditor.
The HCRA publishes information it is authorized to disclose under its legislation, including licensing status and certain regulatory actions. Some information cannot be published because of statutory limits, privacy, confidential business information, or other legal restrictions. For example, not all decisions are punitive in nature.
The HCRA assesses complaints using established procedures and a risk-based triage framework, regardless of the builder’s size or reputation. Decisions are based on the available evidence, applicable legislation, and the public’s interest. There is a Quality Assurance process as well as an internal transparency surrounding decisions. Decisions are made so that no individual can decide without others on the team being aware of the circumstances. One of the HCRA’s core values is integrity. There is a whistleblower policy protecting staff reporting perceived wrongdoing within the organization.
The HCRA is committed to a fair, evidence-based complaints process and assesses complaints using established procedures and risk-based review frameworks in the public interest. If a consumer believes relevant information was not considered, they can provide additional information for review. Consumers may also contact the HCRA with concerns about how their complaint was handled. The HCRA also has a published Policy on Complaints about the HCRA, which sets out how concerns about the organization’s own conduct or handling of a matter can be raised and reviewed. The HCRA’s focus is to ensure decisions are based on the evidence, applicable legislation, and public interest.
Yes, the HCRA may have the authority to impose penalties for violations of the Code of Ethics. The outcome depends on the specific case. Anyone can file a complaint against a licensed builder if they believe the builder is not following the Code of Ethics. The HCRA will investigate the complaint and determine whether action can be taken based on the evidence, including whether an administrative (monetary) penalty is applicable.
The Ontario Builder Directory is updated daily with any notices/actions from the HCRA and any warranty information from Tarion.
The HCRA’s mandate is to license and regulate builders, not to rank or promote individual businesses. That said, the Ontario Builder Directory is an important public tool that helps consumers make informed choices. It is also where licensed builders with a clean record can stand out. A clear record on the Ontario Builder Directory is one of the best ways for a builder to promote confidence in their work.
Yes. Illegal building is a shared challenge, and tackling it effectively requires coordination across the housing system. The HCRA works with the provincial government, municipalities, and building officials to strengthen information sharing, improve awareness of licensing requirements at the building permit stage, and support enforcement action against those who build illegally. The HCRA also continues to raise consumer and industry awareness of how to verify a builder’s licence on the Ontario Builder Directory before a project begins.