Latest news with #MZOs
Hamilton Spectator
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario seeks to speed up construction of housing, roads, transit with new bill giving it more control over municipal processes
The province is looking to fast-track road, transit and housing construction by giving itself more control over municipal processes — in part by expanding controversial minister's zoning orders and standardizing municipal development fees in new legislation to be introduced Monday. The new rules will also prevent municipalities from ordering further studies in relation to new developments as well as adding any construction requirements that differ from the provincial building code, and also give school boards more powers to bypass municipal approvals to add portables on site or plan for new buildings. The new bill will also give priority to Canadian manufacturers for building materials. 'We are taking bold action to protect Ontario in the face of economic uncertainty by speeding up construction so we can lower housing costs and keep workers on the job,' said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack. 'The legislation we're tabling (Monday) responds to recommendations and requests from municipal leaders, and will help build the homes and infrastructure Ontario needs.' Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford, right, with MP Rob Flack earlier this year. Flack, who made the announcement in Vaughan, said the new rules in the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act were created with the input of municipalities. For developers, development charges will be paid at the end of construction — at occupancy — instead of upfront during the permitting process and Flack has said such charges 'can't be punitive.' 'We are pulling out all the stops to protect and build up Ontario during this time of economic uncertainty,' said Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma, who gains the power to issue Minister's Zoning Orders — also known as MZOs — which the housing minister will also continue to be able to do. Since taking office, the Ford government has relied heavily on such orders, which allow the province to override municipal decisions and change land zoning rules to expedite housing developments. An auditor general report last year found the province used the tool 114 times from 2019 to 2023, a 17-fold increase from the previous 20 years. Last week at Queen's Park, Flack told reporters that 'we've got headwinds in our economy. ... We need bold initiatives, and we have to build faster.' Development fees, which municipalities use to build infrastructure such as sewers or roads to support housing, will continue, he stressed, but 'they can't be punitive. In some cases, they're too high, and we need to make sure that they're not hurting the cash flow of getting homebuilders getting shovels in the ground.' In 2022, Premier Doug Ford pledged to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031, but his government has not met yearly targets to achieve that goal. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca, who has cut development charges in half in his municipality, called the new legislation 'bold and creative action to address the housing crisis.' Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish called the measures 'much needed ... municipalities cannot tackle this challenge alone — we need support like this to cut red tape, streamline approvals, and create the conditions for faster, more affordable housing development.' It is unclear how municipalities will react to the delay in development charge payments, given many rely on them to build the needed infrastructure around new housing developments. York Region has struggled in the past, carrying one of the highest debt loads in the GTA on a per-capita basis, with as much as 85 per cent of its debt based on what it hoped to recover from development fees. Flack also told reporters last week that expanding the infrastructure minister's MZO powers — which Surma has already used in the Ontario Place redevelopment — is about 'speed and process ... nothing is changing ... due diligence will still be done.' This is a developing story.
Hamilton Spectator
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario tables bill to speed up home building as 1.5M target not on track
TORONTO - Ontario's housing minister introduced legislation Monday intended to speed up the construction of new homes, as he admitted the province isn't currently on track to meet its goal of getting 1.5 million homes built over 10 years. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack said the target has not been forgotten, but conceded there are challenges. 'We've got some pretty strong headwinds,' he said at a press conference to announce his bill. 'It's a goal. But frankly, I'm focused more on — and our team is focused on — the next 12 to 24 months, because if it stays the way it is now, we'll never get there. We have to make immediate changes.' Data published recently by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation showed that housing starts in Ontario in March were down 46 per cent, year over year, for communities with 10,000 or more people. Flack's bill would reduce the scope and number of studies municipalities can require for new developments, speed up certain minor variances and standardize and streamline fees developers pay that municipalities use to fund housing-enabling infrastructure such as water and sewer lines. As well, it would allow municipalities to more easily reduce development charges, allow residential builders to pay those fees at the time of occupancy instead of when a permit is issued, and exempt long-term care homes from the fees in order to spur their development. Scott Andison, CEO of the Ontario Home Builders' Association, said that when the province's municipalities all have potentially different application and development charge requirements, it slows down the home building process. 'In the absence of a common application process, builders must retool their application process in response to potentially 444 different application requirements and navigate significantly different pathways to get to a single goal — approval to build or renovate a home needed by Ontario families,' he said. The bill would also extend the power for granting Minister's Zoning Orders, which override municipal bylaws, beyond the municipal affairs and housing minister to include the minister of infrastructure when it comes to transit-oriented communities. It is a tool the province's auditor general has raised concerns with in the past, noting that the province's process for MZOs can give the appearance of preferential treatment for some requests. The Progressive Conservative government used MZOs 114 times from 2019 to 2023, which is a 17-fold increase in usage from the previous 20 years, the auditor found. Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said the use of MZOs should be curtailed, not expanded. 'You don't need another minister's hands in the Ministerial Zoning Orders,' she said. 'We've seen this government's track record, and we've seen the abuse that there can be, and this is just yet another opportunity by broadening the power and increasing the number of ministers who can now issue MZOs. This is a really huge concern.' Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma said the move will help get more housing built. 'We're just trying to be more efficient, but we'll also continue working with the hard working (Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing) staff,' she said. 'We want to be flexible. We want to be nimble. I have MZOs that I'd like to issue this year.' The bill would also cap the number of affordable units a municipality can require in certain residential developments at five per cent in order to make projects more viable, but Crombie said it would lead to a reduction in the availability of affordable housing. As well, the bill would standardize construction requirements and provide clarity that municipalities can't create construction standards beyond the building code. Developers and builders have expressed frustration at municipalities that create additional requirements, such as Toronto's green building standard. 'At a time when there are so many challenges facing the residential construction industry, these changes are necessary and essential as they will simplify the approvals process and make the homebuilding process more efficient,' Richard Lyall, president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario, said of the bill as a whole. The government also announced Monday that it will add $400 million to two funds municipalities use to build housing-enabling infrastructure. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Builders say Ontario government legislation will spur new home building
Vaughan, Ont., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) commends the Ford government for introducing legislation that will cut red tape, streamline approvals and tackle other issues that add to the cost of a new home, as it will spur more building. 'In light of the dire housing supply and affordability crisis that we are facing, the proposed legislative changes are critical to eliminating hurdles and reducing costs so that the residential construction industry can get back on track and build the housing that Ontario needs,' says RESCON president Richard Lyall. 'Today's announcement aligns with many of the priorities identified by RESCON over the past two years to support residential housing construction and new home building. The actions undertaken by the government are vital to this effort.' Specifically, RESCON is pleased that the legislation aims to standardize development charges (DCs) levied by municipalities to pay for infrastructure that supports new developments. For years, RESCON has been calling on municipalities to work to reduce the impact of these charges, as they raise the price tag of a home and are ultimately paid by consumers. The bill would also allow developers to remit DC payments at the point of occupancy instead of much earlier in the planning approvals process. The legislation would also give the provincial government a direct say in the development approvals process and place limits on how many studies a municipality could request from a home builder. Meanwhile, the bill would allow the minister of infrastructure to issue MZOs and exempt transit-oriented communities from zoning and planning rules governed by local towns and cities. The provincial government also announced other significant changes such as increasing its investment in housing-enabling infrastructure by adding $400 million in immediate funding to the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Fund. Ontario is struggling to meet its goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031. The glacial planning approvals process and exorbitant tax burdens are major causes. A report done by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis revealed that the tax and fee burden in Ontario averages almost 36 per cent of the purchase price of a new home – up from 31 per cent three years earlier. Hikes in development charges accounted for a big chunk of that increase. Young adults are leaving Ontario because they can't find affordable homes. According to latest statistics, 8,094 young people left Ontario in 2024 while Alberta gained 18,413. Ontario, which used to lead net gains for workers, has held the title of biggest loser for four consecutive years. 'At a time when there are so many challenges facing the residential construction industry, these changes are necessary and essential as they will simplify the approvals process and make the homebuilding process more efficient,' says Lyall. 'The housing affordability and supply crisis is the most intense challenge facing the homebuilding sector in decades and nothing short of significant and collaborative effort can assist in turning this situation around. Today's announcement was a major step towards implementing the required solutions.' RESCON is the province's leading association of residential builders committed to providing leadership and fostering innovation in the industry.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Builders say Ontario government legislation will spur new home building
Vaughan, Ont., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) commends the Ford government for introducing legislation that will cut red tape, streamline approvals and tackle other issues that add to the cost of a new home, as it will spur more building. 'In light of the dire housing supply and affordability crisis that we are facing, the proposed legislative changes are critical to eliminating hurdles and reducing costs so that the residential construction industry can get back on track and build the housing that Ontario needs,' says RESCON president Richard Lyall. 'Today's announcement aligns with many of the priorities identified by RESCON over the past two years to support residential housing construction and new home building. The actions undertaken by the government are vital to this effort.' Specifically, RESCON is pleased that the legislation aims to standardize development charges (DCs) levied by municipalities to pay for infrastructure that supports new developments. For years, RESCON has been calling on municipalities to work to reduce the impact of these charges, as they raise the price tag of a home and are ultimately paid by consumers. The bill would also allow developers to remit DC payments at the point of occupancy instead of much earlier in the planning approvals process. The legislation would also give the provincial government a direct say in the development approvals process and place limits on how many studies a municipality could request from a home builder. Meanwhile, the bill would allow the minister of infrastructure to issue MZOs and exempt transit-oriented communities from zoning and planning rules governed by local towns and cities. The provincial government also announced other significant changes such as increasing its investment in housing-enabling infrastructure by adding $400 million in immediate funding to the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Fund. Ontario is struggling to meet its goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031. The glacial planning approvals process and exorbitant tax burdens are major causes. A report done by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis revealed that the tax and fee burden in Ontario averages almost 36 per cent of the purchase price of a new home – up from 31 per cent three years earlier. Hikes in development charges accounted for a big chunk of that increase. Young adults are leaving Ontario because they can't find affordable homes. According to latest statistics, 8,094 young people left Ontario in 2024 while Alberta gained 18,413. Ontario, which used to lead net gains for workers, has held the title of biggest loser for four consecutive years. 'At a time when there are so many challenges facing the residential construction industry, these changes are necessary and essential as they will simplify the approvals process and make the homebuilding process more efficient,' says Lyall. 'The housing affordability and supply crisis is the most intense challenge facing the homebuilding sector in decades and nothing short of significant and collaborative effort can assist in turning this situation around. Today's announcement was a major step towards implementing the required solutions.' RESCON is the province's leading association of residential builders committed to providing leadership and fostering innovation in the industry. CONTACT: Grant Cameron RESCON 905-638-1706 cameron@
Toronto Star
12-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Ontario seeks to speed up construction of housing, roads, transit with new bill giving it more control over municipal processes
The province is looking to fast-track road, transit and housing construction by giving itself more control over municipal processes — in part by expanding controversial minister's zoning orders and standardizing municipal development fees in new legislation to be introduced Monday. The new rules will also prevent municipalities from ordering further studies in relation to new developments as well as adding any construction requirements that differ from the provincial building code, and also give school boards more powers to bypass municipal approvals to add portables on site or plan for new buildings. The new bill will also give priority to Canadian manufacturers for building materials. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We are taking bold action to protect Ontario in the face of economic uncertainty by speeding up construction so we can lower housing costs and keep workers on the job,' said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack. 'The legislation we're tabling (Monday) responds to recommendations and requests from municipal leaders, and will help build the homes and infrastructure Ontario needs.' Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford, right, with MP Rob Flack earlier this year. Geoff Robins/ The Canadian Press file photo Flack, who made the announcement in Vaughan, said the new rules in the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act were created with the input of municipalities. For developers, development charges will be paid at the end of construction — at occupancy — instead of upfront during the permitting process and Flack has said such charges 'can't be punitive.' 'We are pulling out all the stops to protect and build up Ontario during this time of economic uncertainty,' said Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma, who gains the power to issue Minister's Zoning Orders — also known as MZOs — which the housing minister will also continue to be able to do. Gta What's next for Ontario's controversial MZOs? Critics ask whether auditor general's report went far enough Noor Javed Since taking office, the Ford government has relied heavily on such orders, which allow the province to override municipal decisions and change land zoning rules to expedite housing developments. An auditor general report last year found the province used the tool 114 times from 2019 to 2023, a 17-fold increase from the previous 20 years. Last week at Queen's Park, Flack told reporters that 'we've got headwinds in our economy. ... We need bold initiatives, and we have to build faster.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Development fees, which municipalities use to build infrastructure such as sewers or roads to support housing, will continue, he stressed, but 'they can't be punitive. In some cases, they're too high, and we need to make sure that they're not hurting the cash flow of getting homebuilders getting shovels in the ground.' In 2022, Premier Doug Ford pledged to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031, but his government has not met yearly targets to achieve that goal. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca, who has cut development charges in half in his municipality, called the new legislation 'bold and creative action to address the housing crisis.' Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish called the measures 'much needed ... municipalities cannot tackle this challenge alone — we need support like this to cut red tape, streamline approvals, and create the conditions for faster, more affordable housing development.' It is unclear how municipalities will react to the delay in development charge payments, given many rely on them to build the needed infrastructure around new housing developments. York Region has struggled in the past, carrying one of the highest debt loads in the GTA on a per-capita basis, with as much as 85 per cent of its debt based on what it hoped to recover from development fees. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Flack also told reporters last week that expanding the infrastructure minister's MZO powers — which Surma has already used in the Ontario Place redevelopment — is about 'speed and process ... nothing is changing ... due diligence will still be done.' This is a developing story. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
