Community Directory

In 2022, the Ontario government passed Bill 23 — the More Homes Built Faster Act. It was sweeping legislation designed to speed up housing construction across the province. While the goal of addressing Ontario's housing shortage is legitimate, the law had significant side effects for established neighbourhoods like ours:

• It overrode local zoning rules, allowing up to 3 residential units on almost any residential lot — without requiring any community consultation or City approval.
• It reduced municipalities' ability to say no — limiting the tools Toronto had to protect neighbourhood character, rental housing, and green space.
• It weakened the role of Conservation Authorities and limited third-party appeals, making it harder for residents to challenge developments.
• It cut development charges — fees developers pay to fund schools, parks, and infrastructure — meaning growth comes with less funding to support it.

In short: the Province told developers "yes" before the City or residents could weigh in.

📎 Read more: Bill 23 — Legislative Assembly of Ontario | Plain-language summary — Canadian Centre for Housing Rights