The financial implications of Premier Doug Ford’s Bill 23 (More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022), on Ontario municipalities could be as high as $5.1 billion, according to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
Following the AMO study covering the next nine years, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) mayors have called on the province to pause the bill.
Durham Region too has asked for more consultation on the impacts of the bill (see below).
The Small Urban GTHA Mayors held a meeting on Friday to discuss the impacts of Bill 23. The bill was introduced at the Legislature on October 25, 2022 in response to the current housing crisis that exists within the province of Ontario.
“The Small Urban GTHA Mayors agree that housing availability and affordability is a priority issue in each of their municipalities. Although we collectively agree with some aspects of the bill, there are several unprecedented implications for small urban communities that need to be discussed,” said a joint statement.
“The Small Urban GTHA Mayors are therefore calling on the province to pause on proceeding with the proposed bill in its current state and instead take the time to engage in meaningful consultations with local municipalities to achieve its objectives for sound decision-making for housing growth that meets local needs,” the statement added.