HISTORY
Where we came from
and where we’re going.
By bridging gaps between diverse groups, One Ontario supports the real estate and construction sectors while promoting sustainable growth and community-focused development. Let’s take a look at how we got here.
2014
Foundation
Dr. Arash Shahi, a Civil Engineer with a PhD in multi-sensory data fusion for automated construction management, co-founded the Building Innovation Research Centre (BIRC) at the University of Toronto.
Collaborating with industry partners, municipalities, and agencies, Shahi led research on streamlining development approvals in Ontario, analyzing global permitting solutions. While the research was well-received, challenges in implementation within government institutions persisted.
May 2020
Industry Collaboration
Recognizing the limitations of academia in driving implementation, Dr. Shahi co-founded AECO Innovation Lab alongside key industry partners to address the digital transformation needs of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sectors.
July 2020
The Birth of One Ontario
AECO partnered with the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) to launch the One Ontario initiative. Together, they formed an alliance of willing participants called the “One Ontario Coalition” with the goal of advocating the province for a central data exchange network to streamline communication between development applicants and the many government agencies involved in approving applications.
The alliance consisted of nearly 40 professional associations, municipalities, and government agencies united by a shared goal: to modernize and streamline the development approval process in Ontario and address the ever-growing housing crisis.
April 2021
CMHC Housing Supply Challenge Success
AECO’s One Ontario initiative received funding under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Housing Supply Challenge. This funding supported a scalable proof-of-concept pilot titled “Pre-development Process Streamlining and Modernization in Support of Housing Affordability in Simcoe County: a scalable Proof of Concept solution for all regional governments in Canada.” This project aimed to pilot the One Ontario initiative within Simcoe County.
October 2022
Continued Funding and Development
The One Ontario project was named a final funding recipient of the CMHC Housing Supply Challenge, enabling further research, prototype development, and implementation of the concept. This phase saw the One Ontario concept and research evolved into a robust platform for streamlining real estate and development decisions, by normalizing fragmented data into structured, machine-readable formats that can be queried to improve planning and decision-making processes.
January 2024
Incorporation as a Non-Profit Organization
One Ontario transitioned into a non-profit organization to refine its approach and build trust among stakeholders. This shift enables the organization to prioritize public good, transparency, and community benefits while continuing to engage municipalities, government agencies, and industry leaders. As always, the focus continues to be on addressing Canada’s ever growing housing crisis.
2025
Today
Today, One Ontario operates as a not-for-profit organization focused on practical solutions to address Ontario’s development challenges. Acting as an intermediary, One Ontario facilitates collaboration between industry leaders, government agencies, and the public to improve development approvals. Its work aims to create a more efficient, transparent, and fair system that benefits all stakeholders.
What began as a partnership between academia, government, and industry has evolved into a results-driven initiative tackling systemic issues in the development process.
One Ontario is now focused on pragmatic solutions that streamline approvals, reduce inefficiencies, and contribute to solving Canada’s housing shortage and affordability crisis. Its efforts are grounded in a balanced approach that integrates policy, technology, and practical implementation to address current challenges and prepare for future demands.