Monday, the More Homes Built Faster Act was given Royal Assent, supporting the government’s efforts to tackle the housing supply crisis and get 1.5 million homes built over the next 10 years.
More Homes Built Faster removes unnecessary costs and cuts through red tape and other bottlenecks that stand in the way of new homes being built, announced the Province in a media release.
“More Homes Built Faster helps fulfill our government’s promise to help more Ontarians find a home that meets their needs and budget,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “I am proud of the action this plan takes to increase the supply of housing of all types and restore the dream of homeownership for a generation of Ontarians.”
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith said “too many people are struggling with the rising cost of living and with finding housing that meets their family’s needs. We need more housing in Parry Sound-Muskoka, and we need it now.”
Smith said the More Homes Built Faster Act takes action to address the housing crisis with a plan to build 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years, nearly 10,000 of which are earmarked for the Parry Sound-Muskoka area.
“Bill 23 will help our communities grow with a mix of ownership and rental housing types that Parry Sound-Muskoka desperately needs—from single family homes to townhomes and mid-rise apartments.
“These proposals will also restore, enhance, and create important natural features like wetlands and our government is seeking feedback on how Ontario manages natural heritage, while supporting growth and development,” he stated via email correspondence with Huntsville Doppler.
“Our plan streamlines municipal planning responsibilities, eliminates unnecessary approvals and inhibiting rules, as well as freezes, reduces and slows the future growth of municipal development-related fees that are driving up the cost of housing. We are also asking municipalities to either spend or allocate at least 60 per cent of their reserve balances each year, to ensure the money is being used for its intended purpose.
“Parry Sound-Muskokans expect us to deliver on our pledge to get more housing built. With new councils and mayors taking office, there’s no better time for us to work together to deliver on this shared priority,” he stated.
Key actions in the plan include:
- Freezing and reducing government fees to support the construction of new homes and reduce the costs of housing, particularly affordable and not-for-profit housing, inclusionary zoning units and purpose-built rentals.
- Creating a new attainable housing program to drive the development of housing across all regions of Ontario.
- Increased the Non-Resident Speculation Tax rate to 25 per cent – the highest level in Canada – effective October 25, 2022, to deter non-resident investors from speculating on the province’s housing market.
- Protecting new home buyers by increasing consumer protection measures and consulting on ways to help more renters become homeowners.
The plan also supports the development of “gentle density,” which will create more rental housing while minimizing the impact on existing neighbourhoods. These changes will give most urban residential property owners the right to build up to three units on their land – including a basement apartment or a laneway home – without lengthy planning approvals or development charges.
“Too many Ontario families are chasing too few homes that meet their needs. The bold changes passed today are laying the foundation for those currently trying to find a home that is right for them, and for generations to come,” said Michael Parsa, Associate Minister of Housing.
Quick Facts
- Ontario is expected to grow by more than two million people by 2031, with approximately 1.5 million of those new residents expected to settle in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region.
- Ontario’s first housing plan, More Homes, More Choice was released in 2019. It was followed by More Homes for Everyone in spring 2022. Ontario is seeing strong progress resulting from these plans, with annual housing starts well above average for the past 30 years.
- In fall 2022, the government passed the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act and introduced the Better Municipal Governance Act which gives the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa more powers to work effectively with the province to move forward on shared provincial-municipal priorities, including building 1.5 million new homes over the next 10 years.
- Ontario has asked the 29 of the province’s largest and fastest-growing municipalities to pledge to address the housing gap over the next 10 years. These pledges are in addition to existing, longer-term targets in municipal land use plans and will help kick start development by highlighting the need for municipal infrastructure, like roads and sewers.
- The government strengthened the More Homes Built Faster Act and listened to feedback to allow municipalities to address green standards.
Related:
Muskoka’s Natural Heritage and Bill 23 | Commentary
The concept of Ontario’s greenbelt | Letters
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Paul Johnston says
This bill will destroy not only our environmental sensitive land but will also give developers with their political partners to destroy the iconic life of unique areas like Muskoka. I questioned Graydon Smith on why he supports this bill and the impact on Muskoka. AS expected he never answered and we must ensure he is not re-elected.
In addition not sure why we are not looking at realistic alternatives that do not carve up this beautiful province. Trudeau announced increasing immigration quickly and yet our healthcare, education, infrastructure and housing is in total disrepair. This bill is in response to Trudeaus, reckless announcement and now we will have a provincial reckless housing plan.
WE must not support Graydon to send a clear message of this damaging bill.
Faye McKnight says
New condo project has been a labour of love for developer.
“The fact of the matter says Wiebe is that he’s delivering 15 more much-needed housing units that are desperately required to accommodate the extreme housing shortage”
The extreme housing shortage as quoted by Weibe lands squarely under “affordability and accessibility”. I see the “C” word (condo) and feel they will always fall short under the “affordability and accessibility” category when it comes to housing.
This community is struggling to find, and provide housing for, workers to keep brick and mortar businesses open. Most wages would fall on or under the $20.00 per hour wage (I feel I am being generous with this number).
1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites with a waterfront view, boat launch, 9ft ceilings are definitely not what is needed however I am sure most workers I describe would love to be able to afford these luxury condos.
Please do not insult us by saying this development fits and alleviates the extreme housing shortage.
If you mean it will supply affluent people who are looking to retire or enjoy a lucrative work at home job which pays a lucrative salary, then I wholeheartedly agree with your statement, however these people are not in any way part of the housing crisis as they are willing and able to pay much more than the average housing hunter.
Sandy McLennan says
Smith: “These proposals will also restore, enhance, and create important natural features like wetlands“. Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2022 word of the year: gaslighting. Check.
“Ontario has asked … municipalities to pledge to address the housing gap … highlighting the need for municipal infrastructure, like roads and sewers.” And how is this infrastructure then paid for when this bill: “freezes, reduces and slows the future growth of municipal development-related fees”? Answer: bigger annual municipal tax increases, ie. downloading.
“eliminates unnecessary approvals and inhibiting rules”. Approvals and rules well established by municipalities because they are trying to implement how we want to live HERE.
And what compels developers to build “attainable” housing just because they are saving the cost of fees?
This bill should be plowed under and, as usual, the Ford Gang ought to get out and listen to those beyond backroom earshot. We wish.
Marcia Frost says
And how will they keep the mega wealthy from buying up all those houses so they can flip thm for a million dollars??!
Its not even a lack of supply as mch as a lack of affordability…if zoning laws cld be changed and if every condo development was forced to have 25-40% of its units be “affordable” or rent-geared-to-income (they demanded ths in PEI) we’d be fine but all we see up here is eithr buildings sittng empty or massive luxury condos and mansions being built….no coops, no houses under $700,000, no condos that any regular wrking person cld afford…jst more million dollar homes or people buying up to rent on air bnb for $2000 a weeknd!
And the market has gottn SO ridiculous tht a modest home going for $70,000 two yrs ago is now going for $700,000 or more! Its utter INSANITY and caters only to millionaires….screw all of us littl guys, the wrking poor has nowher to live and if youre on OW or ODSP ur screwed too 🙁
PLEASE HELP for REAL!
Dave Gibson says
This is bad news indeed. These will not be affordable homes. The housing crisis will continue and we will have sacrificed long term environmental health.
Brenda Begg says
Indeed, what or who, will prevent people from purchasing these “affordable” (affordable by what criteria?) homes and flipping them for an exorbitant amount – or buying them to rent out as Air BBs?
Owning your own home is a pie in the sky for more and more people. For that matter, being able to afford the rent of a home, one bedroom apartment, or condo is a dream for many people.
Sadly, affordable housing in Muskoka and elsewhere is simply out of reach.
Kathy Kay says
Bill 23 destroys. On so many levels. No real accessible and affordable housing. Increased costs to municipalities for water and road infrastructures that don’t currently exist. Essential revenues cut off. Destruction of natural spaces that are essential to a healthy environment for all. Our trust in good governance has evaporated because fights to protect communities won 20 years ago, and promises made mere months ago have been reversed. All because wealthy developers having bought themselves a good ol’ boy, and have undermined our political system and created an atmosphere of hopelessness so many people didn’t even bother to vote. Wish there was some way to protest with a class action suit against this government since they’re actions are 100% counter to the will of the people. Even their own in-house departments of professional advisors recommended against this Bill. This government has been undermining our health care and education systems for years and now this. It’s all so disgusting.
Nancy Long says
Yes. I agree Kathy Kay, it is all so disgusting. People voted for the buck a beer guy because that’s what they want. Cheap. As always, talk is cheap but actions speak. Enjoy your beer folks while we have homeless shelters closing, food banks expanding, health care imploding and schools suffering.
Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia regarding public housing policies:
In 1964 the Ontario Housing Corporation was created for the purpose of social housing management[9] From 1971 to 1976, the corporation provided subsidized mortgages to 1200 rental occupants enabling them to become homeowners.[9] As of 1996, the OHC managed approximately 85,000 units of housing and administered rent supplements to nearly 20 000 individuals.[9] In 1995 the provincial government announced that it would no longer provide funding to finance new social housing project.[13] In 1998 the provincial government abdicated itself of social housing authority which was given to municipalities.[13] In 1999 a federal-provincial agreement was signed, which resulted in the Ontario government assuming responsibility for the province’s Rent Supplement Program.[13] In 2000, the Social Housing Reform Act was created.[13] The Act replaced local housing authorities with a Local Housing Corporation which belonged to a provincial body.[13]
Critics of the Ontario policy focus on the power asymmetries which exist between localities and provincial authorities.[4] In Toronto, local councilors to develop social housing have been subverted by the Ontario Municipal Board when such projects conflict with business interests.[4] Advocates of this policy state that government interference is inefficient and disrupts the larger housing market.
So, the problem has been partially created by government itself. Here in Muskoka we had programs from the District Municipal government that enabled low income people to access “rent-to-buy” houses. It did work and I can’t help but wonder why there is not a push for this type of assistance now. By the way, the political party in power in the early 1990’s was conservative.
Frances Botham says
We, the people of Ontario need to get together to stop Doug Ford and his Conservatives from selling out our province to developers. Protest, ask for reconsideration to stop Bill 23. We must express our objection strongly, whether it be by petition, email, letter, phone call or personal visit. Don’t sit back and just grumble about it. Do something proactively.
John Earl says
Maybe we should all be giving our heads a shake. What do all of us expect the consequences partially will be when the JT Government supported by the NDP make it possible for RECORD numbers of immigrants to come to Canada. Photo ops and seeking votes don’t build rental units or help preserve greenspace and farmland. Many people out there are all to quick to jump on Provincial Governments especially if they have it in for them. Some things are easy for the Feds to create policies and directives, however they often ” can’t see the forest for the trees”, leaving the Provinces, & those cities and municipalities to deal with the real problems especially finding space and finding money to support them. So the next time we all are ready to jump on Doug Ford think about the bigger picture. Many all tried to get the Greens elected in Muskoka, but didn’t quite make it, we do live in a democratic society, next time in 4 years we have a chance to better the numbers to make Muskoka Green. As has been mentioned in an other comment , all You people grumbling and griping let your voice be heard. One thing I found as a local politician some of the hatful things politicians fear are letters and comments against their ideals especially if the comments/stories can reach the front page of newspapers or radio news. The sky is the limit in our democracy to voice each of our opinions, so lets all go for it ! Have a Great Day, Its Free !
Allen Markle says
Frances Botham: We, the people of Ontario, are of no consequence to the government for the next few years. It has a majority mandate and will act as a dictatorship until they beg at our doors and disrupt the airwaves, beseeching us to re-elect them. Ontario: how do you like them now?
A Stats Can study in 2014 states the population of Ontario is growing, with immigration being the key driver.
In 2018 the Fraser Institute predicted the population growth for Canada and each province. Ontario was included, with the make up and distribution of that growth of particular note. There are other studies that outline Canada’s future growth. So if any one of Doug’s bobbleheads or even Doug, can read, then they knew expansion was inevitable, and on it’s way.
Must be somewhat belittling for Doug, to all of a sudden have to blurt out, that a Liberal (the PM) had alerted him to the fact that Canada was getting bigger! My God!! Does that mean Ontario is too?
But the grabbing of Greenbelt land for expansion is all about money. Business people would not buy up those properties, just to sit on them. They had previous knowledge. Maybe not right from the ‘big bobble’, but as close as ‘damnit’ is to swearing. An underling perhaps? Gotta’ cover your butt.
Can it be proven? Not likely. But what smells, smells. And there is always a reason.
If there had been any effort over the previous 4 years, to show a layout or projection of infrastructure for what was proposed; fire stations, schools, water treatment plants, the sundry other needs to accommodate all this growth, I might be more inclined to accept it. But there was nothing except for two “full service” hospitals in Muskoka. Didn’t think I would leave that out, did you? There is no way I believe there is no other place to expand.
Once this land; these wet lands and aquifer, these farmlands, are destroyed, they are gone. Irreplaceable.
This government doesn’t seem to give us much credit for being able to think and rationalize things for ourselves. Apparently they don’t even care.
But come next election, I’m in for drop-kicking the bunch of them.
John Earl says
Upon reading some of the comments regarding these matters, I must respond to the author of the comment “‘”We the people of Ontario, are of no consequence to the government for the next few years. It has a majority mandate and will act as a dictatorship “. Obviously the author hasn’t held any elected position in local, provincial or federal politics. These kinds of comments in my opinion usually come from individuals that express their views with a certain amount of naivety.
What Frances Botham says in her comment in my opinion deserves to be merited.
In my experience as an elected councillor , there were quite a few times where the ” squeaky wheels” of the public got the so called ” grease”. Most of us have seen this happen not only in municipal politics, also provincially and federally. In our democracy we should be so thankful that we are free to try to shape and turn the governing power of the day, whether or not they have a majority or not.
Please do not compare our duly elected government as dictators, If anyone has truly experience living under a dictatorship regime, they most likely wouldn’t be using the term so loosely.
If anyone feels strongly about this issue or any other issue, my comment would be to follow Mrs. Botham’s suggestions.
Allen Markle says
John Earl: We know each other, so I’m sure you are aware I have never ran for any political position, local or otherwise. Never even considered it. I have no idea how that fact, or my statement, makes me naive??
However; I find that our premier is acting with no regard for the wishes or opinion of the people.
He is presuming absolute power because of the Conservative majority.
He is exhibiting autocratic and dictatorial tendencies.
(He also tells untruths and seems to expect that characteristic in his bobbleheads)
All of this is too close to a dictatorial, or totalitarian system for my liking. The developing consensus seems to be that the people are feeling that way too.
Hence my “act as a dictatorship” observation.
But I have written letters when I was sufficiently perturbed. I find it soul, self serving, but short on observable results.
I have even demonstrated; my most recent outing was in support of CUPE in Bracebridge. Not good with all that marching.
I await the day when Doug and his bobbleheads are gone. I hope the Green Belt isn’t gone with him. That would be quite a legacy for this Conservative gang to be tarred with, and a tragedy for Ontario. Hope you agree.
Best of the season and Merry Christmas.
Allen Markle says
Brian Thompson: I would love to comment on something positive, but what’s going good should just be enjoyed and not dissected. If it draws too much attention, someone will find a fault somewhere.
So I’ll stick to looking at a fault. Who else could that be than our premier! Before the last election, there were a lot of people on Doppler, speaking of him and the ‘Conservative’ party with shovels full of positivity. Now we are just getting shovels full.
I read someone had suggested that, if Ontario were to build on the Greenbelt, the Province should first expropriate the land, paying market price for it; have it rezoned for building; then parcel it out to the highest bidders (not just to cronies of the provincial PCs). Still a bad idea, but at least the populace might realise some benefit and not just the chosen few.
The Conservatives plan to release 7,400 acres for the construction of 50,000 new homes, the first lot of a proposed 1.5 million over the next 10 years. Does that mean they will take 30 times that amount (or some portion ) of Greenbelt to finish the building? If not, then tell us where else.
Might we imagine that DoFo and his bobbleheads know this will result in a quarter million acres of concrete and asphalt! 340 square mills of subdivisions!!!
And present day homeowners and taxpayers get to pay for it, since municipalities won’t be able to charge development fees??!! And are these new Canadians arriving with the money to purchase these new homes? Or are they to be donated by the taxpayers?
I suppose the DoFo ‘conservatives’ don’t care. I sure hope they get turfed and we are done with them.
Once the Greenbelt is compromised, they will find it easier to do it again. These people are going to leave a mark.
We can imagine the wound, and we will see the scar.