The housing conversation in Canada has reached a critical point. With the launch of the federal Build Canada Homes initiative and community-driven projects like Build Now Waterloo Region, we’re seeing a once-in-a-generation push to deliver housing that is faster, smarter, and more affordable, without sacrificing quality or sustainability.

This is exactly where technology and building methods like Amvic Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) can make a difference.

Build Canada Homes: A National Framework for Change

The federal government’s new Build Canada Homes program sets ambitious targets:

• Build more homes, faster.
• Leverage modern methods of construction.
• Prioritize Canadian materials and supply chains.
• Reduce long-term costs for families through energy efficiency and durability.

It’s a framework designed to empower municipalities, non-profits, and private developers to collaborate — and to change the way we think about affordable housing delivery.

Why Amvic ICF Fits the Moment

Amvic ICF systems aren’t just another building product. They deliver on the exact promises both Build Canada Homes and Build Now Waterloo are trying to keep:

• Faster Build Times – ICF simplifies construction, reduces the number of trades required, and accelerates schedules, which is critical when the mandate is to deliver units quickly.
• Sustainability at Scale – With superior insulation and airtightness, ICF drastically lowers energy use and emissions, helping projects exceed code and meet climate goals.
• Durability and Resilience – Stronger walls, fire resistance, and moisture protection mean homes last longer and cost less to maintain, which is a game-changer for long-term affordability, especially in multi-residence buildings.
• Canadian Supply Chain – Amvic products are Canadian-made, aligning directly with the federal “Buy Canadian” approach and supporting local jobs.
• Comfort and Health for Residents – Better thermal stability and indoor air quality make ICF homes healthier and more livable, especially for families in multi-residential communities.

Local Businesses Are Leading the Way

We’re already seeing more local developers and builders turning to ICF for their low-rise and multi-residential projects. They recognize that today’s buyers and tenants want housing that’s not just affordable on day one, but affordable to operate and maintain over decades.

There are growing examples of local builders (in Ontario and elsewhere) choosing ICF systems, including Amvic, for low-rise / multi-unit residential projects. Some motivations include:

• Desire to differentiate: offering higher performance, lower energy bills, better durability becomes a selling point to renters or buyers.

• Risk management: fewer callbacks, less maintenance, stronger resale or longer value retention.

• Alignment with funding / policy incentives: projects that can claim sustainability points, or meet tighter building codes, stand a better chance under programs tied to Build Canada Homes or provincial/local green building grants.

• Economic sense when scaled: when several units are built, the incremental benefits of ICF (labour savings, energy savings) accumulate significantly.

These choices by local businesses are also a signal: that there is market demand not just for “cheap now,” but “better over time.”

The Bottom Line

Amvic ICF isn’t just another building product; it’s a tool that helps enable many of the aspirations now built into federal and non-profit housing goals: sustainability, resilience, affordability over the long term, energy efficiency, and community value.

We’re excited to see more local builders adopting ICF, especially for multi-residence and low-rise projects. That shift doesn’t just benefit those building—it benefits the whole community: lower emissions, healthier homes, more stable living, better long-term affordability.

If Build Canada Homes means “building homes at scale, speed, and value,” then Amvic ICF offers a way to deliver on that promise.