Today’s announcement from the federal and provincial governments of the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build is key to making housing more affordable for all Ontarians. The inclusion of funding for municipalities that lift development charges (DCs) on new homes is an important step in achieving this goal.
Ontario’s Big City Mayors have been advocating that any change in DCs be matched by infrastructure funding from upper levels of governments, and today’s announcement makes good on that commitment. This is an important step in resetting how infrastructure is funded, and lifting those fees from the backs of new homeowners or property taxpayers. Large projects that benefit entire communities over multiple generations should be shared across all levels of government, especially in a housing crisis where affordability is out of reach for so many.
We are also pleased to see this funding will help get shovels in the ground on key transit projects, protect and bring new jobs in the construction industry and support the province’s Buy Ontario policy, prioritizing domestic suppliers, services and materials helping to boost local economies.
We look forward to working with both the federal and provincial government to ensure that this funding helps to reduce home prices for buyers while prioritizing the critical infrastructure projects that our growing communities need. It is important that our residents see the results of this funding and we will be seeking documented evidence that the savings are passed directly to homebuyers.
“We are in a housing affordability crisis, and measures like this that reduce government fees will help those who have been shut out of the housing market achieve their dreams of home ownership. This funding will not only assist new home buyers, but will also ensure that we are not burdening the current municipal property tax base as our communities grow. This partnership is a great example of how all levels of government must work together to support this growth, so we can build thriving vibrant communities for years to come.”
Marianne Meed Ward – Chair of OBCM and Mayor of Burlington
About Ontario’s Big City Mayors
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM), is a non-partisan organization that includes mayors of 29 single and lower-tier cities with a population of 100,000 or more, who collectively represent 70% of Ontario’s population and almost 30% of Canada’s. OBCM advocates for issues and policies important to Ontario’s largest cities.
Media Contacts
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Chair Michelle Baker, Executive Director
chair@obcm.ca michelle@obcm.ca
905-335-7777 647-308-6602