The so-called “Get it Done…

The so-called “Get it Done Act” is another gift to developers. Hidden in the middle of yet another omnibus bill is language that will require many Ontario municipalities to allow new development on previously protected farmland, forests, river valleys and wetlands. Despite much evidence to the contrary, including the conclusions from the premier’s hand-picked Housing Affordability Task Force, there is more than enough land available to build housing without encroaching on green space and farm land.

Ford’s new bill pushes cities, towns and builders to divert hard-to-get skilled labour and construction materials away from building affordable, diverse housing units where people want to live and work. Instead, if the bill is passed, we’ll see builders encouraged to put up more large, expensive houses that are unaffordable to average Ontario families. Mini-monster homes in spread out neighbourhoods require huge public investments in sewers, power lines, roads and highways far away from where most people live and work.

The last thing Ontarians need in a housing crisis is a new law that supports building the wrong type of housing in the wrong places at the wrong prices. If Ford actually wants to “get it done” and encourage more affordable home construction, he can remove the section in his proposed legislation that requires municipalities to support wasteful construction.Then, he can replace it with new policies proposed by housing specialists to promote sensible intensification. This would make it easy for municipalities and developers to build affordable projects within urban boundaries and get us the most number of homes in the shortest time.

Another aspect of Bill 162 which is unacceptable is the removal of our carbon pricing system, which actually puts rebate money into the pockets of ordinary Ontarians. (What does Carbon Pricing have to do with building houses? Hidden an omnibus bill! Why?) Carbon pricing is one of the best ways to reduce carbon pollution from public, private and industrial activity - it’s “Pay for what you use”, a pretty conservative concept. It’s commonly called a “carbon tax”, but it’s not a tax; most of the money (80%) is returned to us, deposited straight into our bank accounts. Most of us get more money back than we are charged. Those that get less back have more incentive to change. The other 20% is used for projects to help reduce Canada’s carbon pollution.