Outgoing Waterloo council passes motion asking province to hold off on Bill 23

As one of their final acts in office, the outgoing Waterloo city council passed a motion asking the provincial government to wait on housing legislation that could impact conservation land in the region.

On Monday afternoon, Council passed a motion asking the province to defer the review of Bill 23 until the incoming council has had a chance to review it.

Bill 23 is called the 'More Homes Built Faster Act'.

The proposed legislation aims to boost the housing supply in Ontario as part of the government's plan to build 1.5 million homes by 2031.

Royce Bodaly, Councillor for Ward 2, called the legislation environmentally problematic, citing flooding concerns and protections for wetlands. 

“This Bill 23 was introduced the day after municipal elections,” said Bodaly. “And frankly it seems aimed at limiting comment from incoming duly elected officials.” 

Bodaly added that he does not have faith that the province will respond directly to Waterloo, but he is optimistic that advocacy from cities across Ontario will encourage the government to reflect on issues with the bill.

The new council will be sworn sworn in on November 21.

The period for comments on the provincial bill will close on November 24, but the new council will not be able to review the bill until December 5.