The Council of the…

The Council of the Corporation of the City of Pickering passed Resolution #98/19 expressing serious concerns with Bill 108 - (Schedule 3) and requests numerous amendments prior to passing this legislation. See Letter to Minister Clark and a copy of Report to Council PLN 14-19.

City of Toronto staff prepared a report to their Council providing a thorough overview, preliminary comments, and a substantial number of recommended changes to Bill 108 (see City of Toronto Report CC7.3 on Bill 108, May 14, 2019, Appendix I). Toronto staff’s recommended changes are aimed at restoring the principle that growth pays for growth, and restoring the tools that enable the City’s financial capability to provide necessary parkland, services and facilities for a rapidly growing population.

The issues and challenges that Toronto would face arising from Bill 108 are equally applicable to Pickering (albeit we are just now entering the intensification and high density residential development phase). Relying on the review and analysis contained in the Toronto report, Pickering City Council endorses the amendments requesting the Province to change Bill 108.

The City of Toronto has prepared a detailed report of the implications of these proposed legislative changes. A copy of the report is provided as an Appendix to Report PLN 14-19 for Council’s information and review (see City of Toronto Report CC7.3 on Bill 108, May 14, 2019, Appendix I). Toronto staff conclude that the proposed changes signal significant impacts on: the City’s finances; the ability to secure parkland; the capacity to provide community facilities; and on the evaluation of development applications that would afford appropriate opportunities for public consultation and conservation of heritage resources.

Toronto staff observe that the Bill essentially undermines the principle that “growth pays for growth”, and would see existing taxpayers partially subsidizing new development.

Additionally, Toronto staff conclude that Bill 108 contains limited evidence that its central objective, making it easier to bring housing to market and accelerating local planning decisions, will be achieved.

These changes come at a time when the City of Pickering is seeing increased intensification and higher densities, bringing with it the need to provide additional services and facilities to accommodate the new residents. Such services and facilities help create complete communities, another mandate of the Province through its Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Pickering would be at a financial disadvantage to provide the requisite amenities if the current planning tools and financial mechanisms are eliminated through Bill 108.