In late October, the Ontario government introduced Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 in the Legislature, and numerous associated notices for public comment were posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) and Ontario’s Regulatory Registry (ORR). Together, these are an extensive package; the biggest change to land use planning and environmental protection CELA has seen in decades.

To date, CELA has submitted several comments in response to Bill 23.  In addition to the specifics, we are asking that the implementation of the proposals be halted in order to address concerns being identified by organizations and individuals, including our four primary areas of concern:

• The need for climate-safe communities;
• The need to preserve the essential roles of conservation authorities and upper-tier municipalities in protecting water and natural heritage;
• The need for robust community engagement;
• The need for affordable, equitable quality housing supply.

Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 was passed by the Legislature and received Royal Assent on November 28, 2022. For more information on what happens now that the bill has passed, please read this blog post by CELA Executive Director Theresa McClenaghan.