AOLE Conference: A Closer Look at Housing in the 21st Century

On February 26, 2026, the Association of Ontario Land Economists (AOLE) will bring
together industry leaders, policymakers, administrators, and researchers for a full-day
exploration of how housing in the 21st-century city is evolving — and what that means
for affordability, supply, and community wellbeing.

Through keynote presentations and moderated panel discussions, we will examine how
social change, economic pressures, wealth inequality, regulatory frameworks,
demographics, and market conditions are reshaping both housing demand and housing
delivery. The goal is not only to inform, but to foster meaningful dialogue about realistic,
long-term solutions to today’s housing challenges.

What are the viable paths forward for meeting housing needs in modern cities — and
how can they be achieved?

Preliminary Program

• 8.30– 9:30 a.m.
  • Light Breakfast & Registration
• 9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
  • Keynote Address: The Honourable Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
  • The Supply Trap: Economic Costs and Constraints: How can industry overcome rising costs, labour shortages, and policy complexity to deliver housing at scale?
• 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Populism vs. Reality: The Long Game: Why quick fixes fail in systems shaped by decades-long cycles
• 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
  • Buffet Lunch
• 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
  • The Demand Revolution: Changing Households, Expectations, and Lifestyles: How the very concept of housing is evolving
• 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
  • Finance, Risk, and the Capital Challenge: How capital costs, returns, and risk shape what ultimately gets built
• 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
  • International Perspectives — Roundtable & Question Period
• 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
  • Networking Reception (Open Bar)

More information to follow. Registration will be at: https://aole.org/events