FoNTRA opposes Bill 23: More Homes, Built Faster Act

A newsletter from South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association provides a summary of the open letter sent by the Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations (FoNTRA) to Premier Ford and members of the Standing Committee reviewing Bill 23, and a call to action with how you can have your say. A copy of this letter can be found on the FoNTRA website.

“There is a groundswell of opposition to the proposed legislation from community and environmental groups across the province. The opposition is from across the province from the smallest towns to the largest cities. There is much at risk if the legislation proceeds as planned. It is most important that all individual residents reach out to their MPP, the Mayor and their local councillor to express their concerns. The FoNTRA letter runs to four pages and we have provided a one page abbreviated version below. We ask our residents to read both versions.”

ABBREVIATED VERSION OF THE OPEN LETTER

Dear Members of the Standing Committee,

We are writing to you with our submission in response to Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, which was introduced on Tuesday, October 25th, 2022.

We agree that there is a housing supply and affordability issue in Ontario and support the broad goal that new housing should be built and be available across a spectrum of incomes and needs. The focus of all orders of government should be on liveable communities where all residents can thrive and grow.

1. Flawed Foundation Means Flawed Plan: The report focuses solely on supply not demand. The federal and provincial governments could reduce the demand for housing in the overheated GTA by a variety of other means. Conspicuously, the Bill avoids dealing with affordability, again focusing only on production of new housing.
2. Infrastructure: Roads, transit, sewers, fire stations, and libraries in new neighbourhoods are funded through development charges and community benefit charges. If growth will not pay for growth, existing taxpayers will have to!
3. Parks and Greenspace: The province proposes to cut in half the amount of parkland that developers are required to allocate to support new developments. Growth in our major cities is increasingly concentrated in vertical condo projects with inadequate outdoor amenity space.
4. Climate Change: The province is now stripping away our ability to enforce the innovative environmental standards which were designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new builds.
5. Conservation: Changes to how wetlands are evaluated and protected will leave many of our favourite greenspaces at risk. The province is also limiting the role of conservation authorities in their much needed specialized role in watershed management and land use planning.
6. Architecture & Site Plan: The existing review process will often refine and improve the design and servicing of new buildings and to reflect the planning context and history of the street, to create inviting neighbourhoods. Bill 23 will remove this important review process.
7. Cultural Heritage Protection: Right now, municipalities have 60 days to prevent the demolition of buildings with potential heritage value. The new provincial rules provide little time for effective City Council action. This is turning back the page on nearly 50 years of cultural heritage protection in Ontario.
8. Affordable Housing: The proposed legislation would also curtail municipal tools to fund new affordable housing projects with revenue from development charges, which would reduce the amount of money municipalities can invest in new purpose-built affordable housing.
9. Tenant Protection: Although the details aren’t yet clear, Bill 23 seeks to limit the municipality’s ability to create rental replacement by-laws to prevent “renovictions”.
10. Public Engagement and Appeals: The review period for development applications is so shortened that time for public consultation will be restricted. The province will eliminate third party appeals (mainly by residents) at land use tribunals. These measures are vindictive and represent an unacceptable diminution of citizens’ rights.

Summary

The proposed legislation lacks the kind of background information and public engagement process that would permit a thorough analysis of the data, and discussion of its merits. The legislation is focussed on land acquisition and intensification without consideration of infrastructure, schools, parklands and green spaces.

We respectfully request that the Bill be withdrawn to allow for a proper consultation and analysis that addresses the ten important items that are highlighted above. We need to find the balance between affordability, liveability, and sustainability to meet our housing needs.

Three former mayors of Toronto on why the More Homes Built Faster Act disempowers municipalities — and needs a serious rethink before proceeding (The Star)

The Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations Incorporated (FoNTRA) is a not for profit organization now comprised of over 30 residents’ associations, located between Bloor Street, Sheppard Avenue, the Don Valley Parkway and Bathurst Street in the City of Toronto. FoNTRA member organizations are: ABC Residents’ Association, Annex Residents Association, Bayview-Sheppard Neighbourhood Alliance, Bayview Village Association, Bedford Park Residents Organization, Bedford-Wanless Ratepayers Association, Davenport Triangle Residents Association, Deer Park Residents’ Group Inc., Don Mills Residents Inc., Edwards Gardens Neighbourhood Association, Eglinton Park Residents’ Association, Forest Hill Homeowners’ Association, Governors Bridge Ratepayers Association, Greater Yorkville Residents Association, Henry Farm Community Interest Association, Leaside Residents Association, Lytton Park Residents’ Organization Inc., Moore Park Residents Association, North Rosedale Residents’ Association, Oriole Park Association, Quantum Owners and Residents Association, Republic Residents’ Association, St. Andrew’s Ratepayers Association, South Armour Heights Residents’ Association, South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association, South Hill District Home Owners’ Association, Stanley Knowles Housing Co-op, Summerhill Residents’ Association, Teddington Park Residents Association, Upper Avenue Community Association, Wenderly Park Community Association, West Lansing Homeowners Association, Yonge Ridge Homeowners Association, York Mills Neighbours Association, York Mills Ratepayers Association, York Mills Valley Association.