Outgoing regional councillor calls provincial housing plan a ‘disaster’
Posted Nov 9, 2022 06:00:00 PM.
Bill 23 is called 'The More Homes Built Faster Act' and the provincial legislation is proposing major changes to housing regulations across Ontario. It's being met with some local criticism.
The implications were discussed at a regional Planning and Works Committee meeting this week.
Outgoing Kitchener regional councillor Tom Galloway tweeted over the weekend that Bill 23 will be a disaster, with a few exceptions.
Galloway told the Mike Farwell Show on CityNews 570 on Wednesday that the province is using a 'one size fits all' template, and gives the province the authority to throw out regional housing plans.
“Getting rid of the regional official plan in our region is certainly not necessary,” said Galloway. “We actually have an award winning official plan, one that all the municipalities have signed on to, and everybody's happy with.”
Galloway noted that the region is one of the few areas in Canada that relies on groundwater, which the new regulations are contrary to protecting.
'The More Homes Built Faster Act' is part of the provinces plan to build 1.5 million homes by 2031.
I have just read the staff report on Bill 23 for Tuesday's meeting. It will be publically available on the addendum agenda. With only a few exceptions, its a disaster. Not only will it not incent new units, it may well deter them. Seven local municipalities… 1/
— Tom Galloway (@tomjgalloway14) November 5, 2022
