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In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk welcome back Jennifer Keesmaat, President and CEO of Collecdev Markee, to discuss the critical moment for modular housing in Canada. Fresh from organizing the Canada Builds Modular Summit, Jennifer shares why this government-backed push could finally move modular from the margins to mainstream. From her unique perspective as both former Chief City Planner of Toronto and an active developer building cross-laminated timber projects, she breaks down the interconnected challenges—financing, zoning, factory capacity, and site readiness—that must be solved simultaneously for modular to scale.

What you will learn:

Jennifer Keesmaat is President and CEO of Collecdev Markee, a development company focused on sustainable, purpose-built rental housing using innovative construction methods. As Toronto’s former Chief City Planner, Jennifer brings unique insight into both policy challenges and practical development realities. Her company is currently building a 1,400-unit cross-laminated timber development in North Toronto and breaking ground on a 72-unit modular building in January 2026. Jennifer organized the sold-out Canada Builds Modular Summit to bring together manufacturers, developers, financiers, and government stakeholders to accelerate the scaling of factory-built housing in Canada.

The post Solving the Modular Puzzle: Path to Mainstream Adoption with Jennifer Keesmaat, President and CEO of Collecdev Markee appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.