New legislation introduced last week features about two dozen measures aimed to speed up new home construction.
The provincial government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031, but stats show the Ford government is struggling to meet that goal.
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack says the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act will streamline development processes and reducing costs.
They will be enforcing a standardized building code across the province as many municipalities have added their own standards.
“And frankly, it takes too long to meet the standards of some of these building codes. So we’re trying to cut the time, cut the red tape, cut the delays – not the corners – because we have a great building code in Ontario. So the code is the code is the code, whether you’re from Kenora or Kingston that is the building code every municipality is going to have to follow going forward.”
Flack says development charges won’t be waived but will be deferred.
“What we’re doing to speed up the process, to help home builders free up some cash flow so they can get started sooner, is defer the development charges until occupancy of the house. Right now it’s been up front but we’re going to change it to when the home is built and people are moving in that they’re due.”
Development charges will be eliminated for long-term care homes to help address the need for more beds.
Flack appeared on CJBQ’s Lorne Brooker Show last week.
