In this edition of Industry Insights | | |
A message from Greg Martino, Chief Assessor and Data Officer
- Staying connected to Ontario’s changing business property market
Industry partnerships and collaboration
- International research
- Partnering with planning professionals
PROfessional highlight
- Thomas Sentowski, Senior Planning Land Use Specialist
Industry updates
- A faster, more convenient way for Ontarians to access property information
MPAC in motion
- Upcoming conferences and tradeshows
On social
- Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) 2026 Conference
| | Staying connected to Ontario’s changing business property market | | |
Ontario’s business property landscape continues to evolve as changing patterns in logistics, distribution, housing, and workplace needs, along with broader shifts in the North American trade environment, influence how properties are used and where growth is occurring across the province.
Evolving consumer expectations are transforming how goods move through our economy. Businesses are rethinking supply chains, investing in new distribution networks, and expanding warehouse capacity to keep pace with demand. As a result, we are seeing changes that would have been difficult to imagine just a decade ago.
At MPAC, the property data we collect and analyze is providing some interesting insights. What we are seeing is more than a shift in individual property types — it is evidence of broader economic, demographic, and societal trends reshaping communities across the province. Housing needs shape development patterns. Consumer behaviour influences logistics demand. Workplace evolution affects office space requirements. Together, these forces are redefining Ontario's built environment and influencing how communities grow and function.
Understanding these trends is at the core of our work and we have started to share our insights through the Business Properties Report, the Residential Report, and tools such as the Property Pulse Dashboard available in MPAC AboutMyProperty™. We also share our insights as we meet with our industry partners at meetings, conferences and speaking events. These conversations are an opportunity to share our insights and help us understand different perspectives in an evolving market. I hope to have the opportunity to meet with many of you at an upcoming event.
| | Industry partnerships and collaboration | | |
Since 2022, MPAC has been an active participant in the International Property Tax Institute’s (IPTI) International Collaboration Project, an initiative that brings valuation agencies from around the world together to engage in meaningful discussions, explore common challenges, and share best practices.
This work includes research on a variety of topics, including:
Building strong working relationships with assessment organizations around the world creates valuable opportunities for collaboration. MPAC looks forward to continuing this international dialogue and exploring these topics with our counterparts at the 2026 Conference of Valuation Agencies (COVA) in Ottawa, Ontario.
| | Partnering with planning professionals | | |
The property landscape in Ontario is evolving and applying a planning lens to assessment practices strengthens the work that we do at MPAC. Through the Planning Services Advisory Panel (PSAP), established in 2018 and led by Greg Martino, MPAC brings together internal valuation and planning professionals, Board representatives, and external specialists in planning, development, land economics, and valuation. These discussions provide practical insight into growth patterns, zoning changes, infrastructure investments, and long-term land-use strategies across Ontario, helping ensure this knowledge is reflected in our valuation work.
Hear from some of our PSAP members:
“This collaboration ensures assessment practices reflect current and future community development, leading to valuations that are more transparent and aligned with real-world development dynamics.”
David Amborski, BA, MSc, MA, Professor Emeritus, Toronto Metropolitan University
“Planning policies inform land use and development, while zoning by-laws set out how land may be used, including protections for environmental features and natural hazards. I’m pleased MPAC is grounding valuation in planning policy, site realities, and market evidence to support accurate, consistent, and equitable assessments across the province.”
Chris Jones, RPP, MCIP, Director of Planning and Regulation at Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority
| | For this edition, we sat down with Thomas Sentowski, Senior Planning Land Use Specialist within our Valuation and Assessment Standards department. Thomas holds the Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. | | |
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I joined MPAC in 2016 just before graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Urban and Regional Planning Program. When the opportunity arose, I joined the Planning Services team when it was formed in 2018. Since then, I’ve gained valuable learning experiences that have reinforced the importance of utilizing planning information in supporting property assessment.
Why is it important to consider planning information when valuing properties?
MPAC assessors apply industry recognized appraisal principles and established practices when valuating properties. Planning policies and information can help assessors understand a municipality’s intentions for a property, both in the short-term or long-term. This supports transparency of our assessments for market values that reflect a property’s highest and best use rather than its current use, based on Official Plans and zoning by-laws.
Combined with appraisal principles and local market expertise, planning information helps assessors deliver fair and accurate assessments, particularly when there are few comparable sales in the surrounding area or when properties have been identified for redevelopment.
What are some key learnings that you and your team continue to take away as you partner and collaborate with other planning professionals?
Keeping up with planning trends and policy changes is essential, as they continue to influence how planning is carried out across Ontario. Working with industry experts provides valuable perspectives and expertise that help our team better understand emerging planning issues and communicate how they may affect assessment practices.
| | A faster, more convenient way for Ontarians to access property information | | |
Property owners can now choose to receive electronic notifications when a Property Assessment Notice is available through MPAC AboutMyProperty™.
Following recent legislative changes that allow for the digital delivery of Property Assessment Notices, registered MPAC AboutMyProperty™ users can update their delivery preferences and receive an email notification when a new notice is ready to view online. Property owners who opt in to electronic notifications will no longer receive paper copies of their notices.
Electronic notifications provide:
- Faster access to property assessment information
- Greater flexibility in how notices are received
- A more convenient and streamlined experience
The new feature builds on the secure online services already available through MPAC AboutMyProperty™, helping property owners stay informed and access assessment information when they need it. Learn more about MPAC AboutMyProperty™ today.
| | Upcoming conferences and tradeshows | |
Interested in learning more about property assessment? Fall 2026 will offer several opportunities for MPAC subject matter experts to connect with industry partners, share insights and engage in thoughtful discussions at the following upcoming conferences and tradeshows:
Canadian Property Tax Association National Symposium (October 4 to 7, 2026, Vancouver, British Columbia)
An MPAC representative will join a panel discussion with other assessment professionals across Canada to explore how vacant land and development properties are assessed across the country. This jurisdictional comparison will provide key considerations on how development properties are assessed throughout different points in their lifecycle.
IAAO Annual Conference (October 13 to 16, 2026, Calgary, Alberta)
MPAC assessment professionals will contribute to several sessions covering mentorship and professional development, mass appraisal and income modelling, ratio study standards, open-source assessment tools, and best practices. These presentations will showcase leading approaches and innovations that support accurate, transparent, and equitable property assessment.
Ontario Hospitality Conference (October 19 to 20, 2026, Toronto, Ontario)
Our Valuation & Assessment Standards team is looking forward to attending the Ontario Hospitality Conference, hosted by the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA). Our experts will be connecting with hotel, motel and restaurant property owners and operators to share our property assessment insights, how these properties are assessed by MPAC, and the importance of MPAC’s data collection program.
Interested in learning more about property assessment?
Reach out to us if you would like to hear from our property assessment experts at industry webinars, conferences or tradeshows.
| | Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) 2026 Conference | |
“It was my pleasure to participate in MPAC’s session at #AMO2026, sharing observations on the broader property market trends we're seeing across Ontario’s residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
I spoke about where sales activity and market conditions are shifting—highlighting regional differences and emerging patterns.”
Greg Martino, Chief Assessor and Data Officer
Read the full post on LinkedIn.
| | Working with industry partners | | MPAC is committed to working with industry partners across the province. If you want more information about MPAC and how we work with you, please contact us at industry@mpac.ca. We look forward to learning more about opportunities to connect in the future. | | | | |
