Ontario Introducing Legislation to Improve Transit and Build More Homes

Dependable water and wastewater infrastructure underpins thriving, expanding communities. By introducing a modern framework for communal systems, we’re accelerating project starts, sustaining jobs, and fueling economic growth in Ontario’s fastest-growing regions. Enhanced financial oversight ensures development is both responsible and sustainable—delivering long-term benefits for municipalities, families, and future generations.

Housing costs don’t start at the front door, they’re built in long before a family buys a home. By shining a light on development charges and other hidden fees, we’re giving homebuyers real clarity while holding the system accountable. Greater transparency, streamlined rules and faster approvals mean homes can get built sooner and more predictably.

Last session, I brought forward a Private Member’s Motion calling on the government to modernize Ontario’s approach to wastewater systems. The motion received unanimous support from all parliamentarians at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, in recognition of the tremendous potential it holds for small and rural communities. I am proud that our government is acting on this momentum. By providing flexible, safe, and financially sustainable options, we can help unlock new housing opportunities in communities that otherwise face barriers to growth—all the while maintaining the highest public health and environmental standards.

Purchasing a new home is one of the biggest decisions an individual or family can make. Breaking out municipal development charges as a separate line item on agreements of purchase and sale for new homes is a straightforward way to strengthen consumer transparency, which is why I introduced a Private Member’s Motion on this matter last session. I am happy to see that our government continuing to act on this issue. New homebuyers deserve to know what they are paying for so they can make informed decisions and proceed with confidence, fully understanding the costs involved.

OPTA would like to thank the Government of Ontario for continuing to support One Fare, helping to make transit more affordable for commuters during a time of economic uncertainty. We are encouraged by their recognition of the importance of affordable, reliable, and frequent transit to millions of commuters.

This Bill represents plain common sense. Less gridlock and more efficient roadways mean less accidents and safer highways. The HOV lanes specifically will save Ontario drivers a significant amount of time. PTAO is pleased to see this government take significant steps to meaningfully save time for and improve the safety of Ontario drivers. Whether you’re commuting, visiting family, or rely on our roadways for your livelihood, it’s clear that this government is moving in the right direction.

Our industry has been clear about the need to reduce red tape and improve predictability in the planning process. Ontario’s continued action to streamline approvals and remove barriers is welcome and necessary. Measures like parkland dedication reform, further limiting mandatory imposition of enhanced development standards, and site plan process improvements, together with the recently announced HST relief off of all new homes, demonstrate a clear commitment to getting housing moving again and supporting both new home construction and the renovation sector.

The Building Industry and Land Development Association welcomes the introduction of the Building Homes and Transportation Infrastructure Act. The Ontario Government’s continued focus on addressing systemic barriers to housing affordability, supply and jobs comes at a critical juncture for the province and the industry. Measures in the Act will continue the government’s efforts to bring back the dream of home ownership for Ontario families, support jobs and economic growth, and protect Ontario.

The Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act is another strong signal that Ontario is taking action to make it easier to build housing. Measures that streamline processes, modernize planning frameworks, and reduce unnecessary costs and delays are critical to getting new homes, including rental homes, to market. This kind of progress is essential to improving affordability and giving Ontarians more options. FRPO supports these efforts and looks forward to continued collaboration to increase supply across the province.

The Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act is another bold step in addressing many well-entrenched barriers to attainable housing supply and correcting a stubborn, complex crisis. Housing is a vital need central to economic development and well-being. This Bill, under Minister Flack’s determined leadership, nails it again.

We’re at a critical time for housing in Ontario. Economic uncertainties and rising cost of living are impacting the province’s housing market, from new construction to buyers and sellers on the sidelines. We need our leaders to take charge and steer us in the right direction to get housing starts and sales back on track. Today’s announcement features a wide suite of REALTOR®-led solutions, and the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and our nearly 100,000 Members commend the Ford Government for listening and standing up for the next generation of homeowners. This is the kind of bold action we need to drive economic growth, support jobs, and keep the dream of homeownership alive. We look forward to continued collaboration to create a strong and resilient housing market in Ontario.

As part of our mandate to protect the public interest, the Ontario Association of Architects has long called for a review of the site plan approval process. We know there have been lengthy delays, lost opportunities, and needless inefficiencies when it comes to new housing, ultimately impacting the affordability of homes for Ontarians. A 2024 Altus Group report commissioned by the OAA, “Cost of Site Plan Delays,” shows exponentially growing financial repercussions—as much as $3.5 billion annually. Changes to streamline site plan approvals and offer more consistency, without impacting quality or safety or lessening environmental protections, will help designers, builders, developers, and homeowners alike.

OPPI and its members are essential housing enablers, working with government and homebuilders to create vibrant, healthy communities. We are pleased to see the introduction of simplified and consistent Official Plans leading to streamlined approval times for municipalities and home builders. We commend the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable Rob Flack, and the Ontario government for working with OPPI to introduce these critical reforms.

RCCAO commends the Government of Ontario for tabling the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, which continues the province’s focus on improving transportation options, supporting the efficient use of existing highway capacity, and accelerating and streamlining the construction of housing across Ontario. This legislation builds on the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening infrastructure, reducing congestion, and supporting the timely delivery of much-needed housing for communities across the province.

Ontario’s aggregate industry supports efforts to reduce red tape and bring greater clarity and consistency to the planning process, as well as measures that help ease gridlock and keep people and goods moving. Standardizing and simplifying municipal official plans will help make approvals more predictable, reduce unnecessary delays, and ensure that essential resources like stone, sand and gravel can continue to be available close to where they are needed. These changes are an important step toward building the infrastructure and housing Ontario requires.

For the construction industry, success is measured by how quickly we can move from planning to building. Cutting red tape and improving approval timelines means we can get more projects out the door, keep crews working, and deliver the transportation infrastructure that supports housing, mobility and economic growth.

AMO supports the province’s commitment to measures that streamline and responsibly foster growth. We are encouraged that the province’s robust consultation process to inform the Bill reflects our feedback – from keeping municipal services corporation water systems under public ownership, to introducing targeted measures that reduce the cost of building supportive housing for low-income seniors, to implementing high drinking water quality standards. Successfully improving housing construction affordability while expanding community infrastructure requires this kind of coordination between the province and municipalities.

The OSWCA welcomes Minister Flack’s legislation as a positive step forward in accelerating the construction of critical water and wastewater infrastructure through a public utility model. Innovative and sustainable financing tools to help fund this infrastructure will be essential, with more than $250 billion in investments needed over the next decade to accommodate Ontario’s growth. Our members – who build and maintain this infrastructure every day – stand ready to help deliver on this plan and get projects built. We look forward to continuing to work with the province and our municipal partners to advance this important initiative.