"Orangeville Town Council is taking a hard stance against the Ford government’s recently passed Bill 23.
A unanimously supported Notice of Motion brought forward by Mayor Lisa Post during council’s meeting on Nov. 28 highlighted a variety of issues with the bill and requests that it be repealed. The motion will also permit Mayor Post to send a letter to the provincial government addressing the town’s concerns with the bill.
Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, was passed on Nov. 28 and makes substantial changes to multiple pieces of legislation and regulations aimed at increasing housing supply and affordability.
However, it is unclear how the bill will “improve housing supply and affordability since, as presented, Bill 23 will reduce environmental protection, heritage conservation, and quality urban design considerations in all development approval matters beyond such that is strictly related to housing,” said Mayor Post in her motion.
The motion also notes that Bill 23 significantly reduces development charge revenues for growth-necessitated infrastructure and service improvements, and it’s unclear how this will translate into improved housing affordability.
The motion comments on the other challenges municipalities are facing beyond costs and timelines, which require further strategies by the province to increase housing supply and affordability. This includes funding and accelerated implementation and approval support for significant municipal infrastructure expansions and upgrades."
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