Keesmaat Named Co-Chair of National Housing Council
The federal government has also added five new members to the council, drawing on expertise in housing, human rights and finance.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in People
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Planning expert Jennifer Keesmaat was named co-chair of the federal government's National Housing Council, alongside five new members. The appointments were announced in Ottawa.
Why it matters
The council's expanded membership brings together experience in affordable and Indigenous housing, community development, human rights, real estate and investment. The changes reflect the federal government's effort to broaden the expertise guiding national housing policy across Canada.
The council gains five new members, including Kymberly Franklin, who has practised human rights law for more than 20 years, and Margaret Pfoh, who has advocated for Indigenous rights for more than 30 years. The source does not indicate the council's full current size or how the new appointments change its composition.
The players
Jennifer Keesmaat
Keesmaat is a planning expert who previously served as chief planner of the City of Toronto and was known for her work on urban development and housing policy.
Margaret Pfoh
Pfoh is chief executive officer of the Aboriginal Housing Management Association, an organization focused on Indigenous housing in Canada.
Adam Spence
Spence is chief executive officer and co-founder of SVX, an impact investing firm operating in Canada, the United States, Mexico and Colombia.
The details
Keesmaat, a planning expert, was named new co-chair of the National Housing Council. Five new members were also named: Adam Spence of SVX, Kelly Lin, Kymberly Franklin of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, Margaret Pfoh of the Aboriginal Housing Management Association and Rory Richards of NUQO Modular.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Keesmaat named co-chair and five new members announced.
Market Landscape
The appointments sit within the federal government's broader National Housing Strategy, which has directed attention to affordable and Indigenous housing supply in Canada. Adding members with impact investing and Indigenous-led construction backgrounds signals an effort to bring private and community capital into that framework.
Canadians facing housing costs may see the council's advice shape federal programs on affordable and Indigenous housing supply. The source does not specify any direct change to rents, mortgages or housing availability resulting from these appointments.
The takeaway
The expanded council brings diverse expertise from housing, human rights and investment to national housing policy. Readers tracking federal housing efforts should watch how these members shape future recommendations.
Further reading
Explore more People profiles and leadership appointments across Canadian business and policy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Construct Connect.
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