Robert Merkley (Merkley Building Supply Ltd.), Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Soula Burrell (GOHBA) and Jason Burggraaf (GOHBA) at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.
On Jan. 8, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe joined the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) at the Saint Elias Banquet Centre to ring in 2026 with a progress report on the city’s ambitious housing strategy. Addressing a sold-out room of builders and developers, Sutcliffe provided an update on the Housing Action Plan ‒ a 53-measure roadmap designed to transform Ottawa into Canada’s most housing-friendly city.
The Mayor highlighted that nearly half of the plan’s recommendations, including waiving certain development fees and streamlining approval processes, have already been implemented.
As the voice of the residential construction industry since 1951, GOHBA represents more than 400 companies, supporting approximately 38,000 local jobs. Beyond advocacy, the association hosts the prestigious annual Housing Design Awards and promotes professional standards through the RenoMark program, ensuring Ottawa residents receive quality craftsmanship and innovative home design.
Michelle Taggart and Steve Parkes (co-presidents Tamarack Homes and Tartan Homes) at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.Mitch Miller (Ottawa Network for Education), Soula Burell, Russell Ullyatt (City of Ottawa) and David Hill (City Councillor) at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.Cathay Mitchell (Bank of Montreal), Cynthia Benoit (Capital Office Interiors Ltd) and Tracy Noble-Botting (Ottawa Network for Education) at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.Saeideh Shabani (Remax), Adrienne Vienneau (Christie Lake Kids) and Reza Mashko (Christie Lake Kids) at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.Bill Laurysen, Michael Laurysen (Laurysen Kitchens Ltd) with Mark Arnold (Minto Communities) at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.Alan Elmaleh and Sasi Rekha Velayutham from Centertown Laundry Services at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.Jenny Chen (Catalais Consulting) and Dan MacMillan (BMO) at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.Ottawa Councillor Tim Tierney with Pierre Dufresne (Cavanagh Development) at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.Adrienne Vienneau (Christie Lake Kids), Delphine Hasle (Perley Health Foundation), Susan Ingram (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa (BBBSO), Erin Helmer (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa (BBBSO) and Sara Cooper (Habitat for Humanity) at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.Mayor Mark Sutcliffe addressing the crowd at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.GOHBA’s Soula Burell sharing a laugh with Mayor Sutcliffe as he addresses the crowd, at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.Robert Merkley sharing a laugh with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.KOTi’s Angie MacCrae with Soula Burrell at GOHBA Breakfast with the Mayor, Saint Elias Banquet Centre, Jan 8, 2026.
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