*Please see below a statement from the Small Urban GTHA Mayors caucus.
For Immediate Release
November 18, 2022
The Small Urban GTHA Mayors held a meeting today to discuss the impacts of Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. The Bill was introduced at the Legislature on October 25, 2022 in response to the current housing crisis that exists within the province of Ontario.
The Small Urban GTHA Mayors agree that housing availability and affordability is a priority issue in each of their municipalities. Although we collectively agree with some aspects of the Bill, there are several unprecedented implications for small urban communities that need to be discussed. According to AMO the financial implication to Ontario’s municipalities could be as much as $5.1 billion over the next nine years.
The Small Urban GTHA Mayors are therefore calling on the Province to pause on proceeding with the proposed Bill in its current state and instead take the time to engage in meaningful consultations with local municipalities to achieve its objectives for sound decision-making for housing growth that meets local needs.
About Small Urban GTHA Mayors
The Small Urban GTHA Mayors caucus includes mayors of 13 Ontario urban towns with a population under 100,000 and chaired by Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas. The Small Urban GTHA Mayors advocate for issues and policies important to Ontario’s small urban municipalities.
**Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward attends Small Urban GTHA Mayors caucus meetings as a liaison to larger municipalities in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area.
RELATED LINKS:
- Ontario’s Big City Mayors Statement on Presenting to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy on Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022
- Burlington Council Unanimously Passes Bill 23 Resolution Asking for Extended Commenting Periods for Legislative Changes & More Fulsome Municipal Consultations
- TVO Today Article: How changes to conservations rules could affect Hamilton, Halton, and Niagara
- Conservation Halton Board Urges Ontario Premier to Press Pause on Bill 23 More Homes Built Faster 2022
- Province Introduces New Plan to Increase Housing Supply in Ontario