Canada’s purpose-built rental sector is at a critical crossroads. Navigating high interest rates, changing demographics, and a pressing need for massive supply requires more than just individual resilience—it demands a unified, powerful voice in the halls of government.
For too long, private developers built the majority of Canada’s apartments without a unified federal representative. The National Apartment Council (NAC) was built to change that. Behind the scenes, the NAC has been aggressively rewriting how private capital and apartment developers are represented in Ottawa.
Jim Dimanis, Chief Operating Officer of the NAC, breaks down the Council’s rapid-fire “quick wins,” the long-term vision for the industry, and why the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) this September is a defining moment for the development community.
Moving the Needle in Ottawa: The Strategic Roadmap
Advocacy is about establishing absolute credibility and gaining access where it matters most. To fix a housing crisis, you have to be in the room where the decisions are made. The NAC has moved quickly to put the private development sector on the radar of Canada’s top decision-makers, securing unprecedented political access and turning it into immediate action.
The Immediate “Quick Wins”
The Council has already established a recurring presence in Ottawa, meeting directly with senior policy advisors to the Ministers of Housing and Finance, the Deputy Minister of Housing, Assistant Deputy Ministers, policy advisors to the Leader of the Opposition, several Senators, MPs, and the Prime Minister’s Office.
These meetings aren’t just introductory handshakes—they are driving tangible policy conversations:
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Tax & Regulatory Action: The NAC successfully prompted Finance Canada to conduct an audit into the unfair GST/HST assessments facing developers. Furthermore, the Council has held two crucial meetings with Finance Canada regarding the MURB program, with officials now requesting information on a Canadian-style 1031 rollover.
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National Collaboration: The NAC authored a prominent op-ed in The Hill Times and was invited to join the Homes and Growth Coalition (alongside the Missing Middle Initiative and Canada 2020, Canada’s leading independent, progressive think tank) to help develop a national blueprint for housing and middle-class prosperity.
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Data-Driven Influence: The Council has established recurring roundtables with the CMHC and will deliver a crucial Development Bottleneck Report at the direct request of the Chair of the HUMA Committee.
The Long-Term Vision
These immediate victories build the foundation of trust and access needed to achieve the Council’s core, long-term objectives. The NAC is playing the long game to secure fundamental tax reform (including GST/HST fairness, MURB expansion, and 1031 rollovers), smarter regulation, and a federal mindset that finally treats private capital as an essential partner in delivering rental housing.
The September AGM: A Strategic Industry Gathering
The momentum built in Ottawa sets the stage for the NAC Annual General Meeting this September. This is not a standard, dry business update—it is a strategic gathering for the entire industry.
The speaker lineup reflects the scale of the challenges and opportunities ahead:
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Benjamin Tal (Deputy Chief Economist, CIBC) will break down the macroeconomic outlook and translate exactly what it means for Canadian housing.
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Sharon Wilson-Géno (President of the National Multifamily Housing Council – NMHC) is joining from the U.S. to share vital cross-border insights on the American rental market and the power of unified industry associations.
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Dale Mcfee (Deputy Minister, Executive Council, Alberta) will explain how Alberta became a national leader in purpose-built rental and share why housing must be viewed as a pillar of nation-building.
- Dr. Mike Moffatt (founding Director of the University of Ottawa’s Missing Middle Initiative (MMI) and co-host of the Missing Middle Podcast) will be on our Government Relations panel and will be doing a podcast the evening before during our inner circle experience.
Spotlighting the Next Generation
Beyond macroeconomic trends, the AGM will tackle a critical, often-overlooked industry reality: business succession. A powerful panel will feature the “second generation”—the sons and daughters currently taking over family-run apartment development businesses. They will discuss the raw realities of succession, innovation, and carrying a legacy forward. For multigenerational firms, this essential conversation provides a roadmap for planning the transition of a business.
Looking Ahead to 2027: Your Blueprint for Action
The biggest takeaway for developers heading into 2027 is simple: The NAC is now a credible, connected, and durable voice in Ottawa, and your business needs to be plugged into it. The doors that have been opened are yielding tangible bottom-line results. The ultimate tool for any developer right now is understanding how to leverage the NAC’s advocacy to protect their business—whether that means fighting for tax reform, securing regulatory relief, or planning for generational transition.
The NAC’s power grows with every member who shares their real-world development experience. If you are a developer who wants to understand macro trends, learn from the best in North America, and connect with the people shaping policy, the September AGM is where you need to be.
🎟️ Secure Your Seat at the Table
Don’t navigate the future of housing development in a silo. Join Canada’s leading developers this September to get the insights, data, and connections your business needs.