‘Financially reckless’: Community projects at risk from housing bill, mayor says backstop funding from province needed [Video]

Slated to open in 2026, the Embelton Community Centre is one of many projects at risk due to changes under Ontario’s Bill 17, according to a City of Brampton report. (Photo: City of Brampton)

It should be up to the province to “backstop” a looming $342 million hole in Brampton’s budget due to changes in Ontario’s latest housing bill, Mayor Patrick Brown and members of Brampton City Council say.

Ontario’s Bill 17 received royal assent earlier this month, ushering in changes to rules under the Development Charges Act and Planning Act.

But council heard on Wednesday how the changes are expected to bring “significant near-term revenue shortfalls” to Brampton, putting the completion of some $567 million in community projects at risk.

The deferral of development charges could put a $342 million hole in Brampton’s current and future budgets – money that Brown says the province should have to cover.

“If it comes from provincial funding, …