Please accept our attached…

Please accept our attached full submission from the Ontario Home Builders’ Association to the government’s request for feedback on the the proposed Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024 – Housing Initiatives (ERO 019-8365) and in particular, the Proposed Planning Act, City of Toronto Act, 2006, and Municipal Act, 2001 Changes (Schedules 4, 9, and 12 of Bill 185 - the proposed Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024) (ERO-8369) which is being submitted on behalf of the local associations of OHBA.

To summarize, the Ontario Home Builders’ Association is in favour of continuous efforts by the Province of Ontario to get more housing built and to lower the cost of housing for all Ontarians. The introduction of new legislation has multiple objectives, including but not limited to a focus on building homes more affordably and faster, prioritizing infrastructure for ready-to-go housing projects, improving certainty in the approval process, and promoting housing choices. Further reducing barriers to increasing housing supply is something the industry and municipalities alike look forward to with anticipation and enthusiasm.

While we appreciate that a significant number of influential and progressive policy changes have been introduced over the last several years, the OHBA must continue to stress that the theme of any current and future housing legislation should focus on stability, consistency and predictability, combined with proper transition provisions to mitigate adverse effects.

We would like to highlight that there are some policy changes that have been introduced through Bill 185 that are inconsistent with those themes and cause significant concern within the industry that we would like to provide feedback and recommendations on through the content of our submission.

The Ontario Home Builders’ Association respectfully submits two key recommendations at the conclusion of our submission regarding 3rd party appeals and the development charge phase-in provision, which we encourage the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to take into consideration as the government deliberates any changes that may be needed prior to royal assent.