HCRA under the microscope: What the auditor general missed about builders’ real challenges

By Leor Margulies and Sukhraj Sandhu ( December 5, 2025, 3:12 PM EST) -- In early October, the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario released its long-awaited performance audit of the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA). The report set out to evaluate whether the HCRA is effectively fulfilling its mandate to license and oversee new-home builders and protect consumers. While the findings identify several legitimate concerns — particularly around licensing, oversight and complaint management — the report stops short of addressing deeper issues that have frustrated builders since the HCRA’s creation in February 2021....