Waterloo Region's Official…

Waterloo Region's Official Plan Amendment No. 6 was approved by Regional Council in August. It plans to accommodate 125,000 homes by 2031. Bill 23's target for Waterloo Region is only 70,000. Waterloo Region is clearly already pulling its weight as a region when it comes to welcoming new neighbours.

I strongly support Waterloo Region's Official Plan Amendment No. 6. Waterloo Region's Official Plan Amendment No. 6 provides for healthy environmental and urban growth. Waterloo Region's Official Plan Amendment No. 6 implements science based research to reduce the impact of catastrophic climate change in the window of opportunity still open to us. However, Bill 23 ignores science based research and thereby increases the threat of catastrophic climate change

Forcing urban area expansions won’t help solve our housing crisis. In Waterloo Region, developers are sitting on land for 19,000 homes that has been fully approved and are ready for housing, but no construction has begun. Local planning policy is not to blame for holding up new home construction.

Ontario's Bill 23 says it is about “More Homes Built Faster”.However, it throws Waterloo Region's Official Plan into limbo, which Waterloo Region's 3 cities and 4 townships have been collaborating on together over the last two years. The Official Plan Amendment, including the Countryside Line, 15-minute communities, and policies endorsed by First Nations, must definitely be respected and approved by the province. Waterloo Region has successfully directed smart growth around major transit stations while supporting our agricultural economy.

I agree that we need to be building more homes and welcoming more neighbours. This can be done by allowing duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and low-rise apartments to spur “gentle density“ across the entire Region. Waterloo Region's Official Plan lists these housing types as “neighbourhood missing middle“ and Regional staff had recommended that the Province revise Bill 23 to permit “missing middle” housing as-of-right on a residential lot. If the Province is really serious about encouraging new homes, it should allow these housing forms everywhere rather than follwoing through with the flawed policies of Bill 23.

Therefore, I urge the Province to take the following actions:

- Reinstate and support the Regional Municipality of Waterloo's planning authority.

- Approve the Regional Official Plan Amendment (ROPA 6) which was passed by Region of Waterloo council in August 2022.

- Bill 23 is regressive. Repeal Bill 23 in its entirety, and replace it with a progressive plan for housing that respects municipalities, renters, and the environment.

- Require municipalities to permit as-of-right “neighbourhood missing middle“ housing forms. This will help Ontario meet its housing needs.

If the Province truly wants to build more homes faster, it should be using Waterloo's Regional Official Plan as a effective example, not removing its planning authority. Ontarians have the democratic right to implement local planning initiatives.

Thank you for your consideration of this urgent matter.