Ontarians are saying Yes in My Backyard

May 11, 2023

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to news that Toronto councillors have voted to allow the construction of multiplex housing citywide.

“This is an important step for the city of Toronto. For far too long, outdated exclusionary zoning laws have severely restricted the growth of housing supply and kept the cost of housing out of reach for too many.

Hopefully this decision sends a clear message to the Ford government: municipalities are ready to embrace the missing middle and say Yes in My Backyard.

Late last year, I tabled two housing bills that would help communities across Ontario increase housing supply and tackle the affordability crisis.

Bills 44 and 45 propose amendments to the Planning Act that would end exclusionary zoning by:

• allowing for fourplexes and four storey walk-up apartments in neighbourhoods as of right
• allowing for mid-rise developments ranging from six to 11 storeys on transit corridors and main streets.

When it comes to the housing affordability crisis, half measures won’t cut it.

Ontario Greens know that we need to build where people, especially young people, want to live – in connected neighbourhoods close to jobs, family, shops and transit.”

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