Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Ben Woodfinden: Ottawa, the government town that learned to build 

The city is clearing the regulatory detritus that kills development

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

Nobody thinks of Ottawa as a city that builds things, quite the opposite. It is a government town, known nationally for producing reports rather than buildings, the sort of place a Torontonian pictures as a low grey skyline surrounding a committee room. So it might surprise you to learn that in recent years the City of Ottawa has been leading the way in solving one of the biggest challenges facing cities and Canadian policymakers: namely getting homes built.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

Ottawa recorded 9,524 housing starts in 2025, a 38 per cent increase over the year before, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The province went the other way: starts across Ontario fell 13 per cent to 62,561, the worst year since Doug Ford promised 1.5 million homes in the 2022 campaign, and Ontario was one of only three provinces to lose ground in a year when the country as a whole gained. Toronto fell 44 per cent. Which means Ottawa, the second-largest city in Ontario, came within a thousand homes of matching Toronto’s total (10,561) while housing roughly a third as many people.

Ben Woodfinden: Ottawa, the government town that learned to build  Back to video

The National Post newsletter that doesn’t hold back, giving readers the unvarnished truth on media, politics and culture.

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up, you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Right? will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

Part of why........

© National Post