Frustration in London after province fast tracks controversial housing bill
Just a week after council warned that the province’s housing plan would create a massive financial hole at London city hall — Bill 23 has been approved at Queen’s Park.
Hours after the provincial government’s decision, municipal politicians reiterated their concerns at a meeting of London’s Planning and Environment Committee.
“I know Bill 23 is top of mind, especially here at the planning committee,” said Coun. Anna Hopkins.
The Build More Homes Faster Act is intended to streamline the approval of new residential development across Ontario to address the housing crisis.
However, it also overrides several municipal planning powers and reduces the amount of development charges (DCs) paid to cities in order to expand services and infrastructure that support new growth.
The act also weakens environmental and heritage protections that some worry will lead to urban sprawl.
Last week, city council joined with other municipalities in Ontario calling for more time to comment on the changes and potential consequences.
“It’s really ignoring that municipalities of every size, across this province, are expressing serious reservations about this Bill 23,” Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis told CTV News London.
Civic administration has estimated that the changes to DCs will cost London $97 million over five years.
The primary financial costs would be:
- Phasing in development charges (DCs) over five years
- Growth related studies would be ineligible for DCs
- Lost opportunity to add "housing services" to DCs
Lewis suggests the DC changes put city council in a difficult financial situation.
“How we are going to pay for sustainable infrastructure growth and replacement without the development charges piece that the province is now changing on us?” he asked.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.