[This is Part Two of a two-part series about the launch of Build Canada Homes, the Government of Canada's new housing entity. Part One is about what the new entity will do and its first round of investments.]
On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the launch of Build Canada Homes, the Government of Canada's new housing entity, and its inaugural Chief Executive Officer will likely be a familiar name to Torontonians: Ana Bailão.
Bailão previously served on Toronto City Council, representing Ward 9, from December 2010 to November 2022. From October 2017 to November 2022, Bailão also served as Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee and played an integral role in launching programs such as Housing Now and CreateTO.
An immigrant who arrived in Canada from Portugal at the age of 15, Bailão holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and has also served as a Board Member for CreateTO, Toronto Community Housing, Artscape, Invest Toronto, Toronto Public Library, Toronto Parking Authority, and the Toronto Arts Council across her career.
Most recently, after deciding not to run for re-election, Bailão joined Dream Unlimited (TSX: DRM.UN) as Head of Affordable Housing & Public Affairs in January 2023. Just a few months later, however, after Mayor John Tory resigned as a result of his affair with a staffer coming to light, Bailão resigned from Dream Unlimited and announced that she was running for Mayor of Toronto. Bailão received an endorsement from Tory, but ultimately lost in a close race to Olivia Chow. Following the election, Bailão returned to Dream Unlimited in the same role and held that position until recently.
"Ana Bailão is a prominent leader in housing policy and public affairs, with extensive experience in municipal government and a proven track record in advancing affordable and sustainable development," reads a biography of Bailão on the Build Canada Homes website. "She has been instrumental in catalyzing public and private partnerships within the housing sector and has been driving innovative solutions to the housing challenges Canadians are facing."
"Ana was the Head of Affordable Housing and Public Affairs for Dream Unlimited Corp," the biography adds. "At Dream, Ana was responsible for advancing Dream's affordable housing strategy and development, strengthening partnerships with government and community stakeholders, and ensuring that development projects integrate long-term affordability and sustainability."
Bailão will now be tasked with leading a federal entity that also doubles as the Carney-led government's flagship initiative to address the housing crisis. The mission of Build Canada Homes is to "build affordable housing at scale and at speed" and serve as a "one-stop shop for affordable housing." The new federal entity is launching with an initial capitalization of $13 billion.
"Affordable housing has always been more than policy — it's a personal mission," said Bailão in a press release on Sunday. "From my time in public office to my work in the private sector, I've seen firsthand how safe, stable housing transforms lives. At Build Canada Homes, we are bringing together government, industry, and communities to build homes faster, smarter, and more sustainably. We're not just building units — we're building opportunity, dignity, and a future where everyone in Canada has access to the homes they need — and deserve."
