Ontario's Housing Crisis: Ford Government's Emergency Powers and Shrinking Greenbelt

Strategic Insights -

The Ontario Progressive Conservative government, under Premier Doug Ford, is using the housing crunch as an excuse to invoke extreme measures, including the tabling of a bill that would allow mayors to adopt bylaws with only one-third of the council vote and the opening of the protected Ontario Greenbelt to development. This move is being done without the proper democratic oversight, as the government is curtailing the ability of Conservation Authorities to comment on projects and reducing development charges to shift the burden to municipal taxpayers. Meanwhile, a 2018 report by the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force concluded that the real issue with housing affordability is not a shortage of land, but rather the restrictive zoning laws that prevent the construction of denser housing developments. The task force recommended that the government allow, "as of right," residential housing of up to four units and four storeys on a single residential lot, but the Ford government has instead opted for half-measures and is rewarding land speculation in the Greenbelt.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ford government is using the housing crunch as an excuse to invoke extreme measures, including allowing mayors to adopt bylaws with only one-third of the council vote and opening the protected Ontario Greenbelt to development.
  • The government is curtailing the ability of Conservation Authorities to comment on projects and reducing development charges to shift the burden to municipal taxpayers.
  • A 2018 report by the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force concluded that the real issue with housing affordability is not a shortage of land, but rather restrictive zoning laws.
  • The task force recommended that the government allow, "as of right," residential housing of up to four units and four storeys on a single residential lot.
  • The Ford government has instead opted for half-measures and is rewarding land speculation in the Greenbelt.
  • The government plans to open 11 parcels of Greenbelt land owned by its most generous donors to development, despite previously promising to protect the Greenbelt.
  • The Ford government's policies are encouraging endless sprawl and violating the fundamental democratic tenet that laws and bylaws should be adopted by a 50-per-cent-plus-one majority of legislators.

Statistics:

  • 70% of land zoned for housing in Toronto is restricted to single-detached or semi-detached homes (Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force)
  • 50% of land zoned for housing across the province is restricted to single-detached or semi-detached homes (Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force)
  • The Ford government plans to allow owners to carve their homes into three units as a right, a much less ambitious goal than the task force's recommendation of up to four units and four storeys (Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force)
  • 11 parcels of Greenbelt land owned by the Ford government's most generous donors are being opened to development (The Narwhal and Toronto Star investigation)

Sources:

  • "Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force" (February 2022)
  • "The Narwhal and Toronto Star investigation" (2022)
  • "Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force" (February 2018)