The Ontario government is tabling a new housing bill aimed at speeding up construction of homes, roads, and transit infrastructure by overhauling municipal approvals processes, limiting local requirements, and giving the province greater control over development.
The legislation, dubbed the Protecting Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, was announced Monday by Housing Minister Rob Flack in Vaughan, and represents one of the most ambitious housing reform packages in Premier Doug Ford’s second term.
“We are taking bold action to protect Ontario in the face of economic uncertainty by speeding up construction so we can lower housing costs and keep workers on the job,” Flack said during the announcement. “The legislation we’re tabling today responds to recommendations and requests from municipal leaders, and will help build the homes and infrastructure Ontario needs.”