When it comes to housing, the Ford government is abandoning municipalities

March 2, 2023

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to reports that municipalities are requesting Ontario’s support to meet provincially assigned housing targets.

“Let’s be clear: the housing targets that Bill 23 has imposed on municipalities are simply not attainable without additional support from the provincial government.

All along, we’ve known that Bill 23 will cause more problems than it solves. And now, we’re seeing this play out in real time.

Municipalities want to build affordable, connected communities where people can be close to work, school and the services they need. But without proper financial supports from the Ford government, they’re being set up for failure.

Ontario must provide support to fund the infrastructure needs associated with meeting these housing targets – investments in transit, roads, community centres, parks and more.

And they must also be providing support for the creation of deeply affordable and supportive housing – so that everyone in our communities can have a safe and affordable place to live.

Municipalities know what their residents need. They know what they need to do in order to make housing more affordable and more accessible. But they cannot do it alone.

Right now, they’re the ones who are paying the price for the Ford government’s regressive housing policies that hang them out to dry.

As Ontario’s Premier, Doug Ford should be listening to local leaders. And local leaders have been clear: without proper funding, this plan to build is a plan to fail.”

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