Solving Ontario’s Rental Crisis & Profiting—One Smart Building at a Time
Recorded: September 2025
Guest: Jimmy La and Kartik Singla, SDG Canada
Host: Erwin Szeto, The Truth About Real Estate Investing for Canadians Podcast
Canada’s housing crisis isn’t going away—and developers like Jimmy La and Kartik Singla are stepping up with bold, scalable solutions. In this episode, I had an insightful conversation with the co-founders of SDG Canada about their ambitious infill development strategy, the benefits of CMHC’s MLI Select financing, and how their Clapperton Village project in Barrie is reshaping the rental landscape.
Key Takeaways
- SDG Canada is building modular, energy-efficient rental housing tailored for multi-generational families.
- Their Clapperton Village development includes 100+ units across nine buildings, with plans to expand to 150.
- The project is powered by CMHC’s MLI Select program, allowing 95% financing and long amortization terms.
- Amenities include EV chargers, co-working spaces, gyms, and even air/water quality tracking.
- The Missing Middle Conference on Sept 12 at the Fairmont Royal York will bring together mayors, ministers, and developers to tackle housing challenges head-on.
Why It Matters:
With Ontario falling short of its housing targets and immigration numbers rising, the need for smart, scalable rental housing has never been greater. SDG’s approach—low-rise, family-friendly, and financially viable—is a blueprint for the future.
Don’t Miss These Two Game-Changing Events
Missing Middle Conference – September 12th, 2025 | Fairmont Royal York, Toronto
Canada’s housing crisis won’t be solved by chance—it requires bold ideas and collaboration. That’s exactly what the Missing Middle Conference is all about. Hosted by Jimmy La and Kartik Singla of SDG Canada, this one-day event brings together the brightest minds in housing and development, including:
- Mayor Olivia Chow (Toronto), the Mayor of Burlington, and other city leaders
- Federal and Provincial Housing Ministers’ teams
- Top developers, consultants, and investors
- And of course, Erwin Szeto, host of The Truth About Real Estate Investing for Canadians
If you care about the future of housing, want to understand how to profit from infill development, or are simply seeking to network with leaders driving change, this is where you need to be.
🎟️ Reserve your spot now at themmc.ca
💸 Use code MMC15% for 15% off tickets
Wealth Summit 2025 – September 27th, 2025 | Oakville & Online
Wealth Summit 2025 – September 27th, 2025 | Oakville & Online
After you’ve learned how to create millions through real estate development, it’s time to protect and multiply that wealth. That’s where the Wealth Summit 2025 comes in.
We’re bringing back the same energy and insight that made our Wealth Hacker Conferences legendary, where Grant Cardone and Jesse Itzler once took the stage, but this year, the focus is on what really matters for long-term financial freedom:
- Best practices in financial and estate planning
- How to build or replace a pension
- Protecting your wealth and minimizing taxes legally
- Wills, power of attorney, and intergenerational wealth transfer
This will be an intimate, high-impact event with only 40 in-person seats in Oakville, plus limited online access. If you’re serious about securing your financial future, you won’t want to miss it.
🎟️ Save your spot now
⚡ Don’t wait—seats are already filling up!
Smart Rental Development in Ontario: What You Need to Know
1. What is the Missing Middle in real estate?
The Missing Middle refers to housing types between single-family homes and high-rise condos—like duplexes, triplexes, and low-rise apartments.
2. Why is SDG Canada focused on infill development?
Infill allows them to add density in existing neighborhoods, using underutilized lots to build 6–60 unit rentals that meet real demand.
3. What is CMHC’s MLI Select program?
MLI Select is a financing program offering up to 95% loan coverage and long amortization for energy-efficient, affordable rental projects.
4. How many units is SDG Canada currently developing?
They have 100 units in the pipeline across nine buildings, with plans to scale to 150 units in Barrie.
5. Why is Barrie a good market for rental development?
Lower land costs, supportive city planning, and proximity to new university campuses make Barrie ideal for scalable rental housing.
6. What kind of tenants are SDG’s buildings designed for?
Multi-generational families, professionals, and renters are seeking larger units with modern amenities.
7. What amenities are included in Clapperton Village?
EV chargers, co-working spaces, gyms, saunas, air and water quality tracking, and shared outdoor areas.
8. Will MLI Select still be available in five years?
Yes—projects are grandfathered into the program with 50-year insured mortgages, making refinancing viable long-term.
9. How does modular construction help with sustainability?
It reduces waste, speeds up build time, and enables energy-efficient designs that exceed code by 45%.
10. What’s happening at the Missing Middle Conference?
Mayors, housing ministers, developers, and investors will gather to align on solutions for Canada’s housing crisis.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here
📜 Full Transcript
The full, cleaned-up transcript from my conversation with the co-founders of SDG Canada is available here for anyone who wants to dive deeper into their infill development strategy, the role of CMHC’s MLI Select financing, and how Clapperton Village is reshaping the rental landscape in Barrie.
To Listen:
On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7cOMIueDkR3utoSJ8J4UuH?si=IY8j3GTvSli8icVpgvWFvg
YouTube: https://youtu.be/pGa85Erc9us
🦸♂️Household Hero? Here’s Your Next Step
If you’re a Canadian investor trying to build wealth safely and sustainably, Adam’s journey has valuable takeaways.
It might be time to revisit your current strategies—real estate, lending, or insurance—and ask:
- Do your investments match your long-term goals?
- Do you fully understand how your strategies work?
- Would a more conservative approach offer better peace of mind?
Real estate remains a powerful tool for building wealth, especially with careful underwriting and due diligence. Insurance can be useful too—but only if it supports your broader financial goals.
Need help with conservative, peace-of-mind investing—backed by Wall Street-style due diligence—plus financial planning with your best interests at heart?
Until next time, happy Canadian and USA Real Estate Investing.
Erwin Szeto,
Your Cross Border Investment Guy
Why I’m Investing in the U.S.
I’ve been investing in Ontario since 2005. It’s been a great run—starting with properties in the $100Ks, now reaching $800K–$1M. How much higher can it go? I don’t know.
The remaining appreciation potential doesn’t justify the risk. That’s why I advise clients to look to the U.S., where rental properties range from $150K–$350K USD, with rents between $1,400–$2,600/month.
These cash-flowing numbers are night and day compared to Canada. Plus, landlords have rights, there’s no rent control, and income is in U.S. dollars—which are stronger than Canadian dollars.
If you don’t believe that U.S. dollars are stronger, ask 100 non-Canadians what they’d prefer to be paid in.
To regain control of your retirement, check out the cash-flow properties at:
👉 iwin.sharesfr.com
How SHARE Makes It Easier
The best part? My U.S. investments are more passive than my Canadian ones. I work with SHARE, an asset manager that guides me through the entire process.
SHARE helps with:
- Finding quality income properties
- Structuring the legal and tax side
- Managing the property manager and insurance provider
- Saving time and money with preferred rates
They even advise on when to refinance or sell. SHARE supports investors across the U.S., which is why I plan to own in Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas. It’s like having a JV partner—without giving up ownership or control.
Final Thoughts
If increasing cash flow is your goal, I don’t know of a better strategy for most Canadians. Once more: iwin.sharesfr.com is where to see what boring, cash-flowing investing looks like on the path to financial peace.
This is how I’m making real estate investing great again—for my family and hopefully for yours too.
Sponsored by… Me!
This episode isn’t sponsored—except by my wife Cherry and me. Real estate investing is our life. It’s helped us build wealth and achieve peace of mind about retirement and our children’s future.
Interested in our systematic approach to real estate investing—the same one used by most of my podcast guests? Then check out:
📍 infinitywealth.ca/events
Till next time—just do it. I believe in you.
Erwin Szeto
W: erwinszeto.com
FB: facebook.com/erwin.szeto
IG: @erwinszeto
Disclaimer
As a committed advocate for transparent and responsible investing, I want to disclose that I am an Advisor to SHARE SFR (Single Family Rental). I hold equity in the company and earn referral commissions from clients I refer.
My endorsement of their model—focusing on positive cash flow and direct ownership—is based on personal experience and belief. Still, every investor should do their own due diligence.
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