OnePoint's Advocacy at Work: Housing, Economics, and the Path Forward: Key Takeaways from the Guelph Chamber Economic Summit

Guelph, ON, January 22, 2026 — OnePoint was represented this week at the Guelph Chamber of Commerce Economic Summit, where member and volunteer Chad McBain participated as a panelist on behalf of OnePoint’s Government Relations Committee.

The summit brought together business leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to examine the economic forces shaping Guelph and the surrounding region. A keynote address from Andrew DiCapua, Principal Economist at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce provided insights into global, U.S., and Canadian economic conditions. His presentation included forecasts related to interest rates, commodity prices, real estate trends, and the Canadian dollar.

Following the keynote and networking lunch, attendees took part in a panel discussion focused on the current state of Guelph’s economy and what lies ahead in the coming year. Topics included employment trends, housing supply, affordability challenges, and broader economic pressures facing the community.

The panel also featured Charlene Hofbauer, Executive Director of the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin, and Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Together, panelists explored how workforce dynamics, housing availability, and economic growth are interconnected across the region.

Discussions primarily focused on Guelph’s failing grade in the Missing Middle Initiative’s Q2 2025 Housing Report Card. Mr. McBain emphasized that this is not due to a lack of policy direction, Guelph has made strong progress on gentle density and infill, but rather the challenge of project economics. Limited greenfield land means growth relies on more complex and costly infill development, made harder by rising construction costs, labour shortages, high interest rates, and increasing development charges.

The lack of housing supply is driving affordability pressures across the market, limiting options for first-time buyers, renters, families, and seniors looking to downsize. With few “in-between” housing options available, many households remain stuck in homes that no longer meet their needs, contributing to broader market gridlock. Regionally, constrained supply pushes demand outward, increasing commuting and infrastructure pressures, while also affecting Guelph’s ability to attract and retain workers.

The summit underscored the importance of policies that improve certainty and speed, particularly at the municipal level. Streamlined approvals, thoughtful development charge reforms, and support for diverse housing types are essential to turning policy into homes. Strengthening housing supply will be key to maintaining Guelph’s affordability, economic resilience, and long-term competitiveness.

OnePoint Association of REALTORS®’ participation in forums like the Guelph Chamber Economic Summit demonstrates the importance of having a REALTOR® voice at the table when critical conversations about housing and the economy are taking place. It also reflects the association’s ongoing commitment to advocacy, informed dialogue, and collaboration with business and government partners.

Through advocacy efforts led by engaged volunteers, OnePoint brings real-world market insight, on-the-ground experience, and data-driven perspectives to discussions that directly shape housing policy and economic outcomes.