Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster yesterday said the Ford Government’s Bill 23 (Build More Homes Faster Act) is putting the municipality and its residents in a “challenging position”.
“With a limited ability to raise funds for critical projects, we find ourselves in a challenging position. We cannot expect residents to embrace passing these costs onto their local tax bill, nor can we expect them to accept cuts to programs and services that will lead to a reduced quality of life in Clarington,” he said in a statement adding to growing list of concern voiced by Durham municipalities.
Mayor Foster pointed out that the provincial government’s passing of Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, has made significant changes to the Planning Act, Development Charges Act and Ontario Heritage Act, all of which impact how Clarington plans and pays for costs associated with growth.
“In the weeks ahead, our local MPPs have offered to meet with the municipality to ensure that there is a mutual understanding of the impact this legislation will have on our community. We need to ensure that our advocacy leads to the changes required so that we can continue to deliver the services residents deserve and expect,” he added.
Under Bill 23, the province’s plans to further open up 7,400 acres of the greenbelt, including the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve, for new housing.