Latest news with #MikeSchreiner
Global News
a day ago
- Business
- Global News
Ford government fails to hit housing target, even after adding LTC beds, student dorms
Despite adding long-term care beds, retirement homes and student dormitories to its housing statistics, the Ford government fell tens of thousands of units short of its goal last year. New data released by the province this month confirms that even with its modified definitions of new housing, Ontario achieved less than 80 per cent of its self-imposed 125,000-unit target for 2024. The figure was introduced by the Ford government after it won the 2022 election, partly with a promise to build 1.5 million new homes over 10 years to 2031. As part of the push, the government assigned housing targets to major municipalities, offering financial incentives to towns and cities that hit their targets. The new data shows just 15 achieved their targets in 2024, while another eight managed 80 per cent or above, which the province also rewards municipalities for. Story continues below advertisement Another 27 — including major cities like Ottawa, Mississauga and Brampton — all failed to meet their targets. 'These are bad news numbers and they show what an utter failure the Ford government's housing policy has been,' Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said. 'I certainly understand why they want to delay releasing the bad news, and I also understand why they're trying to fudge the numbers by including forms of housing that were never part of the intent of the original 1.5 million target.' A spokesperson for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing said the government was offering funds to help cities build new housing. 'With over $3 billion in housing and community-enabling infrastructure investments and $1.2 billion committed through the Building Faster Fund, we remained focused on delivering the homes Ontario families need,' they wrote in a statement. Lower housing starts and increasing targets Ontario's cratering housing starts come as its targets ramp up. Story continues below advertisement As it looked to fulfil its promise of 1.5 million homes in a decade, Ontario introduced the Building Faster Fund, a pot of money designed to reward cities which meet their housing goals. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The fund came with individual targets for municipalities, as well as for the province overall. The annual goal for the province itself was staggered, beginning at 110,000 for 2023 and climbing every year. The goal for 2024 was 125,000, it is 150,000 this year and will increase to 175,000 per year for 2026 onwards. In 2023, once it included long-term care beds and other dwellings in its statistics, Ontario exceeded its 110,000 by just under 600 new units. The province managed just under 95,000 of its 125,000 target in 2024 — or 73,462 if long-term care beds, student housing and other extra categories were excluded. A little over 20 per cent of housing starts in Ontario last year were actually long-term care, student dorms or other alternative categories not recognized by federal counts. The added housing starts in 2024 were: 14,381 additional residential units, like basements or laneway houses 2,807 post-secondary student beds 2,278 long-term care beds 1,825 suites in retirement homes The latest data was the first time Ontario has included retirement homes and student residences in its statistics. Long-term care beds were first added in 2023. Story continues below advertisement The government did not address a question asking if it planned to add even more categories to its definition of a new home. Meanwhile, the number of municipalities hitting their goals also dropped significantly. In 2023, there were 20 municipalities which exceeded their target and 12 which managed more than 80 per cent. Those fell to 15 exceeded and eight above 80 per cent through the latest funding. Ontario Liberal MPP Adil Shamji said the failure of the majority of municipalities to hit their targets is an indictment of provincial — not local — policy. 'It's like in a school classroom — if one student fails, maybe it's the student's fault,' he said. 'When the whole class is failing, you've got to wonder what the teacher's not doing right.' The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing pointed to its latest legislation as a cause for optimism that housing starts may improve. 'Through our legislation, the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, we are getting more shovels in the ground by streamlining development processes, lowering costs, and reducing delays,' the spokesperson said in a statement. Much-delayed data While Ontario's total housing starts have been available from federal sources since early this year, Ontario has spent months tabulating the figures and only released them in early August. Story continues below advertisement The government said it took time to update the data, which was further delayed by the snap election call in February. Shamji, however, said he assumed the government was deliberately dragging its feet. 'No doubt this government is ashamed to have to publicly release this information because these are not results to be proud of,' he said. 'Imagine you're a government that gets to set your own targets, your own definitions, even for what counts as housing, and… and even then you have nothing to show except such dismal results.' Data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows that over the first six months of 2025, Ontario was on course to do even worse. Housing starts until June for areas with a population of more than 10,000 people were at around 27,400 — a drop of 25 per cent compared to the same period last year. Beyond a statement saying Ontario saw 9,125 new rental housing starts between January and June this year, the Ford government has not yet released any data for 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
31-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario Green Party leader drumming up support for foodbelt bill over the summer
The summer BBQ circuit finds Guelph MPP and Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner out drumming up support for a bill that would protect farmland. Schreiner and MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, the independent MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk, introduced a private member's bill at Queen's Park in May. The bill looks to establish a committee led by members of the industry to develop a 'foodbelt' to protect farmland in Ontario. The committee would consist of farmers, farm organizations, and experts in soil, land planning and agriculture. Schreiner told The Observer that the 319 acres of farmland that are lost in the province every day were a major 'motivation behind this bill.' 'That's the equivalent of nine family farms every week. When we think of the threats to our economy and our sovereignty currently, I think it's just essential to protect the land that feeds us in terms of maintaining our food sovereignty and security – the land that is the foundation of the $50-billion food and farming economy that employs over 875,000 people in Ontario, which is the largest employer in the province.' While Ontario is large, covering more than 892,000 square kilometres, just five per cent of it is usable farmland, and only 0.1 per cent is prime farmland, he noted. 'I think it's just essential that we have a plan to protect it, especially because the rate of farmland loss is been going up so rapidly in recent years.' This bill comes on the heels of the controversial Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act (Bill 5), which gave Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet members the ability to assign special economic zones. This would essentially allow developers and their organization on this site the ability to bypass other provincial and municipal rules. Though Schreiner said that he and Brady have been working on this type of farm protection well before the controversial Bill 5, the introduction of the bill, 'accelerated our desire to get this bill introduced and through first reading.' 'I think farmland protection needs to be a part of the conversation around Bill five, because there's nothing in Bill 5 that would prevent the premier's cabinet from declaring substantial acreage of farmland a special economic zone,' added Schreiner. Since its initial proposal, the bill has received support from all parties and all different parts of the political spectrum, he said He has also spoken to Minister of Agriculture Trevor Jones and Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as well. 'I've had certain members of the Conservative caucus reach out to me, especially those who represent ridings where farming is a big part of the local economy.' With the legislature on summer break, Schreiner will be travelling around Ontario talking about this bill and other issues. He has met many people who have expressed support for this new bill and also seen support from environmental groups and the province's agriculture organizations. All of this support and discourse about the Protect Our Food Act might come from the fact that this bill touches on many different political perspectives all at once. Schreiner noted that it specifically comes from three different perspectives. The first of those is the economy, which he notes is the agri-food sector, the largest employer in the province. 'I think people recognize the economic implications,' added Schreiner. The second perspective is environmental, and it plays a very important role in protecting the environment. The third important perspective that the bill follows is social justice and food sovereignty. 'There are issues around food security and hunger, social justice, where people are saying, 'We want people in Ontario to be able to have access to local food,'' noted Schreiner. 'Ontario's 49,000 plus farmers produce over 200 different crops and livestock, which is one of the most diverse availabilities of food anywhere in the world.' Given the major weather incidents and conflicts around the globe, protecting the places that produce food is particularly important just now, he stressed. 'That has real economic and financial implications for people's lives and their ability to be able to afford to feed themselves and their families. So protecting agricultural land in Ontario ensures that we have secure access to affordable, healthy, local food,' he added. 'I think it is critically important because it touches a lot of people's lives in different ways. And I think that's one of the reasons you've seen support for the bill.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. 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. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Hundreds rally to ‘kill Bill 5' at Hamilton City Hall
Concerned residents rallied in the forecourt of Hamilton's city hall Wednesday afternoon to 'kill' the provincial government's controversial Bill 5. Organizers estimated more than 200 people rallied at Hamilton's city hall to protest the controversial Bill 5. The rally, hosted by Hamilton 350, was attended by local Opposition members of provincial Parliament, NDP leader Marit Stiles, Green Party leader Mike Schreiner and Coun. Craig Cassar — as well as Indigenous, labour, housing and environmental advocates. Organizers estimated more than 200 people joined the protest. It also followed a pitch to Hamilton council earlier in the day to support a bill to create an 'Ontario Foodbelt' aimed at protecting scarce agricultural land. Organizer Lucia Iannantuono said the rally was important because although opposition to the bill is 'broad and deep,' there had been no visible opposition to it in the city. 'This is where we make our voices across the movement known,' she said, adding they are urging the government to repeal the bill — because if it is used, 'we will protest.' The rally featured interruptions from unhoused people and supporters — which drew support from the crowd — as a city bylaw enforcement operation sought to remove an encampment from city hall grounds. Residents rally at city hall against controversial legislation meant to speed up major infrastructure projects in Ontario. The contentious Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act is meant to cut red tape, speed up critical natural resources development and help protect jobs, according to the Tory government. However, environmental, Indigenous and civil liberties advocates have raised myriad concerns about the bill, including a proposal to designate 'special economic zones' where fast-tracked major developments can be effectively exempted from other laws. In Hamilton, environmental advocates have said the bill would 'gut' endangered species protections in the name of spurring development and could potentially undermine the city's new biodiversity strategy meant to stop species loss. Speaking at the rally, Schreiner called the bill the 'most extraordinary and unprecedented power grab' in Ontario history. The Guelph MPP told the crowd repealing the law is going to take 'people power,' much like the fight that reversed the Doug Ford government's plan to remove 7,400 acres from the Greenbelt . Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner speaks at Hamilton's city hall. Earlier Wednesday, Schreiner and Haldimand-Norfolk Independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady appeared before Hamilton councillors to seek support for their private member's bill that seeks to create an Ontario 'Foodbelt.' Like the Greenbelt, but for farmland, the proposed legislation would assemble a task force of farmers, experts and land-use planners to recommend agricultural areas for permanent protection from development. The committee passed a motion by Flamborough councillor Ted McMeekin to support the Foodbelt bill. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. 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. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
08-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Protecting agricultural land is food security, says Ontario farm family backing private member's bill
Social Sharing Too often, vegetable farmer George Deleebeeck sees good farmland getting turned into housing. "Some of the best lands are places where lots are going into," Deleebeeck said of his southwestern Ontario community. Meanwhile, sites that aren't arable get left as is, he added. "If you get rid of all the best farmland, what's left? They're not making any new land as far as I know." In 2022, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture said the province is losing 129 hectares of farmland every day — the equivalent of nine family farms each week. It's an issue that two Ontario politicians are working to address. Bill 21, Protect Our Food Act, 2025, is a private member's bill by Independent Haldimand—Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner. The bill, which has undergone first reading and has been ordered for second reading, proposes the province establish a farmer-led committee that would identify agricultural land to be included in a "Foodbelt" for preservation. WATCH | Farmer says producing local food is key to ensuring food security: Norfolk County farmer says preserving farm land is 'food security' 2 hours ago Duration 1:16 Speaking alongside his son Andrew and Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, vegetable farmer George Deleebeeck says preserving farm land is essential to ensuring food security. Hamilton councillors to consider supporting bill On Wednesday, Brady and Schreiner are scheduled to tell Hamilton city council's general issues committee about the bill. Ward 15 Coun. Ted McMeekin moved a motion calling on the city to support the MPPs and farmers' groups in their efforts. "We have to save our most productive land in Ontario or our farmers suffer, our small towns suffer, rural communities will dry up," Brady told CBC Hamilton at her Simcoe office in June. She said prime farmland throughout Ontario is being bought up for development. Undeveloped or agricultural lots are attractive to housing developers, for example, because it's easier to build on than urban land, Brady said. "Government needs to do everything in its power to get out of the way, allow [farmers] to farm, and make it easier to farm and protect the land that gives us the best product." Brady spoke with CBC Hamilton alongside Deleebeeck and his son, Andrew. The Deleebeecks' farm is near Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuary in Norfolk, where they grow food including peppers, soy beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins and squash. The difference between good and bad farmland is significant, George said, adding you can't make a profit if soil is bad for growing. "It's a matter of dollars and cents." George and Andrew are third- and fourth-generation farmers. Andrew said their ancestors came to Ontario from Belgium after the Second World War and understood the value of growing their own food. "My generation, we've never had to starve," Andrew said. Today, however, many people take agriculture for granted, George said. "People don't realize that things grow in fields. Believe it or not, you'll get people that order stuff and they think it's on a shelf." George argues that farmland is food security. (Generally, food security refers to the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable and nutritious food.) Early in the pandemic, he said, people paid more attention to local farmers and made them feel appreciated as the country struggled with international supply chain issues. Brady stressed that preserving farmland is also good protection against tariffs, since more local farming means fewer potential trade barriers on some goods. "In the face of global trade instability, we must tariff-proof our economy. That starts with protecting Ontario's farmland to defend our food sovereignty, our food and farming economy, and our future so we can feed ourselves," Schreiner said in a news release in May. Bill would appoint 'farmer-led' panel If it becomes law, Bill 21 would empower a committee of farmers, agricultural experts, soil scientists and professional planners to develop recommendations for preserving and adding to the agricultural land base. The committee would have a year to publish a report to be given to Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Minister Trevor Jones. Brady emphasized the importance of having farmers at the forefront of decision-making when it comes to the use of agricultural land, saying they shouldn't all be made by people in Toronto towers. "No disrespect, but I'm not sure too many in those towers would know which end of a tobacco leaf to stick where." The bill would also amend the Planning Act so that agricultural land cannot be rezoned for other uses unless an agricultural impact assessment is first carried out. The province maintains it has the tools it needs to protect farmland, Brady said, but "they don't open the toolbox" and are making matters worse with legislation like Bill 5, the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, which she argues will make it easier to pave over arable land. CBC Hamilton asked the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness to respond to Brady's comments and whether the government intends to support the private member's bill. "Our government will always stand up for Ontario's world-class farmers and protect our farmlands," ministry spokesperson Dino Alic said in an email. "Each year, our agri-food sector generates nearly $51 billion in annual GDP, and our agri-food exports have increased by 65 per cent since 2018. We will continue to work with our partners to strengthen and enhance farmland protection while ensuring the growth and long-term success of our agri-food sector." George said he'd like to see urban areas grow by taking over the least-desired farmland first. "In my view, if you have a committee, they could say, 'Well, no, the town should go this way because we need this good farmland to produce food, and why should we be building houses there?'" Brady said she'd also like to see more infill development, and urban areas building up rather than out. Bill 21 had its first reading in May, but Brady said it could be about a year before MPPs vote on it in the Legislature. "We would love to see immediate action, but what it does give us is an opportunity to go across the province … and talk to as many people as we can."
Global News
06-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Guelph MPP looks to put ‘people before oil and gas profits' with re-introduction of fossil fuels bill
Green Party Leader and Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner is calling on the province to allow municipalities to charge gas companies to use public land. On Wednesday, Schreiner announced the No Free Ride for Fossil Fuels Act at Queen's Park. If passed, the bill would give municipalities the power to charge fees from Enbridge and other natural gas providers for public land use. 'This is about putting people before oil and gas profits,' Schreiner said. The bill was first tabled in the last parliament, but Schreiner said it 'died on the order paper' when the election was called earlier this year. In a statement, the Greens said most provinces charge gas companies to use public land, but Ontario does not. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Global News made attempts to contact Michael Chong, the Conservative MP for Wellington-Halton Hills, but no comment was provided by publication time. Story continues below advertisement Leanne Caron, councillor with the City of Guelph, said the companies use the public lands to distribute gas and do not pay back the municipalities. 'Like other provinces who are allowed to charge for use of public land, we need this revenue to invest in climate mitigation, deeply affordable housing and to support the energy transition away from dependence on fossil fuels,' Caron said. Should the province end the ban on natural gas providers using public lands for free, Schreiner said the city would like to charge gas companies a fee as part of a new agreement with Enbridge. He said the funds could create a revenue stream and put millions of dollars back into the community. 'If we use the same formula as Edmonton does, the City of Guelph could raise an additional $8.5 million in revenue that could help us fund city services and keep property taxes down,' he said. The Ontario Energy Board is currently looking at evidence presented by Evan Ferrari, executive director of eMerge Guelph Sustainability and a local advocate, along with the city, in its decision to renew its natural gas franchise agreement with Enbridge. Right now, the city is in the process of renegotiating its 20-year lease agreement with Enbridge, according to the Guelph MPP. Story continues below advertisement Schreiner said the bill could help play a part in the board's decision to renew with Enbridge. 'Re-tabling this bill is an important step,' he said. 'Let's stop the ban, let's stop preventing municipalities from charging fossil fuel companies from paying their fair share. I think that's an important message to send.'
