The proposed changes…

The proposed changes threaten our heritage but won’t lead to more truly affordable or attainable housing. Housing is not a commodity but is treated as such and the proposed changes do not address that fundamental failure. The quickest way to create more housing is to re-use and adapt existing older buildings. Fix and re-use our older neighbourhoods already serviced and connected by transit to offer affordable housing alternatives.
The change in the “threshold” for designation, requiring that two criteria be met rather than one, will make it almost impossible to protect humble buildings and places associated with the historic contributions of Black, Indigenous, Franco-Ontarians, multicultural and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Ontario. The changes to the Ontario Heritage Act will stymie recognition of cultural diversity in Ontario.