WATCH NOW: What Toronto Can Learn from Edmonton’s Multiplex Revolution
While cities across Canada are still debating how to add “missing-middle” housing, Edmonton has already done it. In this episode, I speak with Jacob Dawang from the housing group Grow Together Edmonton about how the city became one of the first in the country to legalize 8-plexes city-wide—a bold move that’s transforming its neighbourhoods.
Jacob explains when and how Edmonton passed these reforms, what the municipal rules and lot requirements look like, and how these new buildings differ from what we’re seeing in cities like Toronto—often resembling rows of townhomes, each with a basement suite, rather than stacked apartments.
We also explore the impact of these policies so far, the community pushback that’s led some councillors to consider scaling back to 6-plexes on interior lots, and the broader lessons Toronto can take from Edmonton’s approach to zoning reform and housing supply.
If you want to understand what it actually looks like when a city commits to building more homes—beyond the rhetoric—this conversation offers a practical look at the challenges, results, and opportunities of Edmonton’s multiplex experiment.
John Pasalis is President of Realosophy Realty. A specialist in real estate data analysis, John’s research focuses on unlocking micro trends in the Greater Toronto Area real estate market. His research has been utilized by the Bank of Canada, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Have questions about your own moves in the Toronto area as a buyer, seller, investor or renter? Book a no-obligation consult with John and his team at a Realosophy here: https://www.movesmartly.com/meetjohn
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