Mayor’s statement and Ontario’s Big City Mayors Response to Province’s New Housing Legislation

MAYOR MEED WARD'S STATEMENT ON HOUSING LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TODAY:While there are helpful aspects to today's announcement, it perpetuates the false narrative that democracy is to blame for the housing affordability crisis - namely that municipal elected councils, staff and the public stand in the way. This is false and damaging to our collective efforts to solve the biggest issue of our time. We remain committed partners in the quest to provide our communities with affordable and attainable housing, rental units and community housing, and welcome the parts of today's announcement that will contribute to that shared goal.I'm also grateful today's announcement avoided the most damaging aspects of the housing task force recommendations, including the planning free-for-all via 4-storeys in all neighbourhoods, gutting democracy by reducing public participation and bankrupting municipalities via reducing fees and development charges. These fees help growth pay for growth (it never fully does) and protect taxpayers from subsidizing development.However, we must remain vigilant. These proposals could come back after the provincial election.I look forward this time to municipal representation with a seat at the table, not looking in from the outside, as part of the new working group promised as part of today's legislation. Municipalities have always offered to be partners who are committed to being part of the solution, and a seat at the table is a step in that direction.I  also welcome the review promised of the 250,000 units that have been approved and not built, just among the cities represented by the Ontario Big City Mayors Caucus. When developers sits on approvals, it leads to land speculation and cost escalation for homebuyers/renters, and does nothing to advance our goal of helping to increase supply. We all look forward to measures the government might introduce to ensure the housing approved equals housing built.Finally, throwing more money after a bad process, namely the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), isn't the answer. We need meaningful reform, including elimination of de novo hearings and a streamlined process, or alternatively (and preferably to many regions including Halton) abolition of the tribunal altogether. Click here to read the resolution to eliminate the OLT (then called LPAT) that Halton Regional Council unanimously supported in July 2019.I will have more comments on the specifics of the legislation after further review and consultation with staff and council.

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*Please see below a statement issued by Ontario's Big City Mayors. Read a PDF briefing deck from the Province on its More Homes for Everyone bill here.GUELPH, March 30, 2022 - As municipalities continue to find solutions to Ontario’s housing crisis, Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) would like to thank Premier Doug Ford and Minister Steve Clark for their continuing efforts on this critical issue for our communities.

"Portions of today's legislation will provide more opportunities to build much needed housing in Ontario, in partnership with municipalities. It also reaffirms the long-held practice of local governments being responsible for local planning decisions,” said Cam Guthrie, Chair of OBCM and Mayor of Guelph. “OBCM looks forward to reviewing the legislation in greater detail. Our municipalities are committed to a collaborative process as we find ways to increase all types of housing supply." --  Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, Chair of OBCM

OBCM also welcomes the opportunity for municipal participation in the Housing Supply Working Group as the Housing Supply Action Plans are created alongside recommendations from the Housing Affordability Task Force and the public.While OBCM welcomes today’s legislation, the Caucus does have some concerns we hope the government will consider.Planning Delays and Timelines“While the province encouraged municipalities to look in our own backyards for solutions to planning delays, we are encouraging the province to continue to do the same,” said Cam Guthrie, Chair of OBCM and Mayor of Guelph.De novo Hearings at the Ontario Land TribunalOBCM is concerned that the matter of de novo hearings at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) is not addressed in the proposed legislation. The Caucus believes strongly that the ability to introduce entirely new information at the OLT undermines good planning and disadvantages communities.OBCM remains supportive of initiatives grounded in the following principles and we are pleased to see the government has addressed many of these through their new plan and recent announcements.

• Share in communicating to residents the need for growth to help overcome NIMBY opposition;
• Ensure that every level of government is part of addressing the solution;
• Improve the way we collect and analyze data, so we have the tools to define problems, set goals and track progress on implementing solutions;
• Reduce the time for approvals by applying digital tools and streamlining the process;
• Invest in training to ensure we have the skilled trades needed to build new homes;
• Develop a suite of tools to address housing costs and supply shortages; and
• Ensure local flexibility in building the right mix of housing.

“Ontario’s Big City Mayors are pleased to see the implementation of two key positions from our caucus that we brought forward to the government. The initiating of the increase of the foreign buyer’s tax, and putting in place further consumer protections for homebuyers,” said Cam Guthrie, Chair of OBCM and Mayor of Guelph. “OBCM urges all levels of government, alongside the development community, their associations, and the public, to be involved in solving Ontario’s housing crisis. We all have a role to play.”--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist