On Monday, November 28, 2022, the Provincial government passed Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 in the Ontario Legislature. Municipality of Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky expressed official opposition to the Bill in a letter to Premier Ford, voicing deep concerns.
In her letter, Mayor Hankivsky points to concerns specific to Port Hope and the significant impacts that Bill 23 will have on the community, including:
- The inability to leverage the expertise of our local conservation authority for their value-added input on natural heritage, ecology, and wetlands in the development review process.
- The proposed reduction of safe and accessible parkland in favour of an increase to the mix of housing supply, which will ultimately result in a financial burden on current taxpayers to purchase new parkland for new residents.
- The threat to the heritage properties by removing the listed properties from the heritage register leaving them with no heritage status or protection.
- The risks to municipal financial stability by largely reducing the development charges and community benefit charges. This will significantly impact the taxpayer by shifting growth costs from developers to the existing taxpayers.
- The removal of public participation principles required in the Provincial Planning Act by removing the third-party appeals and public meetings for subdivision applications. This will take away the democratic rights of the residents and make the tribunal a developers’ only forum.
- The removal of elements that the Municipality can review as part of the site plan approval process, particularly surrounding urban design, architectural features, landscaping, and future sustainable development standards. The Bill allows for any modifications or new builds in the heritage conservation district without adherence to the community heritage design standards.
“I’ve expressed my concern and disappointment to the Premier about the lack of opportunity for consultation and engagement from the province’s municipal partners,” states Mayor Hankivsky. “This Bill was tabled and advanced during the election period and limited consultation has taken place during the transition of new Councils. This has effectively removed municipalities from the legislative process and undermined our ability to remain accountable, transparent, and responsible agents of change. The government’s objective to increase housing supply and improve affordability is a worthy one, but there must be due process to ensure that the Bill reflects the perspectives of those who are most impacted by the legislation.”
More information about the Bill is available on the provincial website.
Background
On October 25, 2022, the Province of Ontario introduced Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. Bill 23 includes significant changes that affect the following items:
- Inclusionary zoning/attainable housing/affordable housing
- The collection of Parkland or Parkland Fees
- Development Charges
- The removal of Upper Tier powers
- The removal of third-party appeals
- Increases in allowable density (three units on one lot)
- The removal of requirements for public meetings on subdivision approvals
- Changes to the heritage designation process
- Changes to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) procedures
- Changes to natural heritage planning with respect to the composition of the Conservation Authorities
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