On May 2, 2019, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing released its More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan and introduced a related bill titled Bill 108: More Homes, More Choices Act.
This Bill seeks to amend 13 different statutes governing everything from fees for developers to protection of endangered species, and will have massive repercussions on municipal planning, revenue generation and financing infrastructure projects.
Here are just some of the ways Guelph residents stand to be affected by Bill 108:
- Large, planned community infrastructure projects such as the South End Community Centre will be delayed or halted because Bill 108 would change the financial tools (namely, development charges) the City uses to support these projects;
- Residents and cities would have less time to provide input on the planning decisions that stand to affect them; and
- More decision-making authority would be placed with the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), an entity outside the local community. Local planning control would be reduced.
What’s changing?
Proposed changes to eliminate development charges (DCs) for “soft or social services” will result in a capital funding shortfall for growth-related infrastructure needed for parks, trails, recreation centres, libraries, public health, child care, social housing, homes for the aged, paramedic services and parking.The provincial government’s proposed reductions to DCs will cost the City of Guelph about $100 million over the next 10 years and puts at risks projects like the South End Community Centre, new Main Library and the acquisition of land for the future planned Wellington Park.
Bill 108 would result in shortened timelines for approving planning and development applications. This would limit the window for residents to review documents and provide comment. Timelines are being reduced as follows:
- Official plans: 210 to 120 days; 90 day reduction
- Zoning bylaws: 150 to 90 days; 60 day reduction
- Subdivision plans: 180 to 120 days; 60 day reduction
Bill 108 reduces municipal control over decisions on designation and alterations to heritage properties by allowing appeals to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), whose decisions are binding. Currently appeals are made to the Conservation Review Board, whose recommendations are non-binding.
What people are saying about Bill 108
- City of Guelph’s submission to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on proposed changes to Bill 108 (May 31, 2019)
- City of Guelph’s submission to the Standing Committee on DC Act Reforms (May 31, 2019)
- LUMCO’s submission to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy (May 28, 2019)
- LUMCO letter to the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing with a Bill 108 resolution (May 28, 2019)
- Statement from LUMCO Mayors (May 24, 2109)
Follow City on Twitter (@cityofguelph) for ongoing information and dialogue on Bill 108 with #StopBill108.
Be heard on Bill 108
Share this page with co-workers, friends and family and make yourself heard by contacting to your local MPP, Mike Schreiner.