Ontario tables latest housing bill, promising changes have municipal support [Video]

The Ford government has unveiled its latest round of housing with a push to streamline development charges in hopes of boosting its flagging homebuilding statistics.

On Monday, Housing Minister Rob Flack gathered municipal leaders and developers at a news conference in Vaughan, Ont., to announce the bill, along with a round of infrastructure funding.

“The legislation we’re tabling today responds to recommendations and requests from municipal leaders, and will help build the homes and infrastructure Ontario needs,” Flack said in a statement.

The new legislation, titled the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smart Act, includes a commitment to standardize the fees municipalities make developers pay, block cities from charging developers for requirements outside the provincial Building Code and bring uniformity to road construction rules.

Among the changes:

• Cities will not be able to request studies from developers which are not listed in their official plans
• Adding portable classrooms to school sites and …