Survey gauges support for proposed robotic district housing factory

The factory would cost up to $17 million

District of Muskoka Council received the results of public consultation on a proposed robotic manufacturing facility for affordable housing during their August 20, 2026, meeting.

On the survey page, the District summarized an opportunity to create and own a corporation that would operate a factory using robotics to manufacture major wood-frame components for non-market affordable rental housing, including walls, floors, roofs and stairs. Components would be transported to building sites for assembly, while local contractors would continue to carry out foundations, building services and finishing work.

The proposal involves a capital investment of up to $17 million.

The District is seeking federal and provincial grants that could cover approximately half of that amount.

They estimate the initiative could generate about $52 million in construction savings over 10 years through housing produced for Muskoka and other municipalities.

Survey questions tested residents' views on several aspects of the proposal, including faster delivery of affordable housing, factory-based construction, job creation, use of local and Canadian suppliers, recovery of the investment through future efficiencies and sales to other municipalities, and the proposed $17-million investment itself.

According to the staff presentation, 621 people participated on an online survey, along with a separate phone poll of 400 residents. Results varied depending on the question and the information provided. In the online survey, 37% strongly supported the District investing up to $17 million in the initiative, while 41% strongly opposed it. Support was higher for some aspects of the proposal: 57% supported the use local and Canadian materials and suppliers, while 21% opposed it.

When asked about investing in the building and robotic equipment to speed up delivery of non-market affordable rental housing and recovering the investment over time through efficiencies and sales to other municipalities, 27% supported the approach and 43% opposed it.

Council members expressed issues with the survey, referring to social media feedback as a negative “swamp” and “not credible,” leading questions, and not providing enough information.

Others argued that social media is a valid way to “reach a high volume of people in a short amount of time.”

Councillor, Scott Morrison, indicated that the survey summarizes that the project is not something “majority want to spend money on…or own.”

He also highlighted that young people were in favour of it “but won’t benefit because it’s all nonmarket housing.” He added, “That should have been portrayed in the survey because I don’t think the results would have been the same.”

He continued that the results indicate “you can find a better way to do it, so it impacts all community members.”

Chair, Jeff Lehman, indicated, “We have many young families living in our social housing,” adding “it’s not accurate to say young people won’t benefit.”

Morrison, said, “Majority won’t benefit.”

The engagement results will form part of the information considered as District staff continue evaluating the proposed initiative.

Lehman said, “We look forward to hearing more comments as the process continues.”