The Township of Scugog has added its voice to the growing concern by Durham Region and its municipalities over the impacts of Ontario’s Bill 23.
“The most significant challenge in 2023 will be implementing Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022,” said Kevin Heritage, township director of Development Services.
Iin his department’s first annual report, he pointed out that this act is an omnibus bill which introduces sweeping changes to a number of other acts including, but not limited to the Planning Act, Development Charges Act, Conservation Authorities Act, and the Ontario Heritage Act.
“These changes are intended to expedite planning approvals and reduce the overall costs for developers with the ultimate goal of developing 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years in Ontario.
“These same changes, however, will have a significant impact on the way in which the township will operate and serve our customers. Examples include the downloading of all planning approvals from the Region of Durham to the local area municipalities and reducing development charge funding necessary to pay for the infrastructure required to support new residential development,” said Heritage.
“This may place a heavier burden on existing taxpayers within the township,” he added.