The shortage of affordable housing is a major problem in Toronto. But little new affordable supply is being built, social housing units require major capital repairs, and provincial and federal finances are tight. In the United States, the private sector plays a greater role in building and rehabilitating affordable housing through tax credits and innovative financing and partnership models. Are there lessons for Ontario?

A growing number of cities are turning to public-private partnerships (P3s) to finance their infrastructure investments. What are the advantages and disadvantages of P3s as a municipal financing model? How do they work? And what role do the federal and provincial governments play?

Can and should Canadian municipalities be borrowing more? If so, what measures and financing models should cities adopt to ensure additional borrowing is cost-effective and responsible?