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Ontario Assembly Bill

Ontario Bill 23

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
November 28, 2022
More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022
  • This explanatory note provides information about Bill 23, which has been enacted as Chapter 21 of the Statutes of Ontario, 2022. The note explains that it does not form part of the law itself. The note then summarizes the amendments made to various statutes by the bill, including the City of Toronto Act, 2006, the Conservation Authorities Act, the Development Charges Act, 1997, the Municipal Act, 2001, the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017, the Ontario Heritage Act, the Ontario Land Tribunal Act, 2021, the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012, the Planning Act, and the Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022. The amendments include changes to regulations on the powers of the City of Toronto, regulations on the disposal of land by conservation authorities, exemptions from development charges for affordable and attainable residential units, and changes to the calculation of development charges. The note also mentions the revocation of various regulations and provides transitional provisions for the implementation of the amendments.
  • H1
  • H2
  • H3
  • RA
  • Yea (24)
  • Nay (28)
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • One steelman argument in favor of the provided information is that the amendments and revocations outlined in the schedules of Bill 23 aim to streamline and improve various aspects of Ontario's legislation related to city planning, conservation authorities, development charges, municipal acts, new home construction licensing, heritage preservation, land tribunals, underground infrastructure notification, and the planning act. By giving the Minister the authority to make regulations and impose limits and conditions on certain powers, the government aims to ensure that development projects are carried out efficiently and in compliance with relevant laws. The amendments also provide exemptions and incentives for the creation of affordable and attainable residential units, as well as non-profit housing developments, which can contribute to addressing housing affordability challenges in the province. Furthermore, the amendments aim to simplify and clarify processes related to public consultations, permits, site plan control, and the disposal of land by conservation authorities. These changes can help streamline decision-making processes and provide more certainty for developers, municipalities, and the public. Overall, the amendments and revocations outlined in Bill 23 aim to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Ontario's legislation related to city planning, conservation, development charges, housing, and other areas, which can contribute to economic growth, housing affordability, and environmental protection in the province.

SteelmanSpren Against

  • Steelman Argument: Opposing the changes made by Bill 23, one could argue that the amendments outlined in the schedules of the bill give too much power to the Minister and limit the autonomy of local municipalities. These changes undermine the principles of limited government and local control, which are fundamental to conservative ideology. Firstly, the amendments to the City of Toronto Act, 2006 in Schedule 1 give the Minister the authority to make regulations imposing limits and conditions on the powers of the City to prohibit and regulate the demolition and conversion of residential rental properties. This infringes on the rights of property owners and limits their ability to make decisions about their own properties. It also undermines the principle of property rights, which is a cornerstone of conservative thought. Secondly, the amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act in Schedule 2 give the Minister the authority to make regulations governing the disposition of land by conservation authorities. This centralized control over land use decisions takes power away from local authorities and gives it to the Minister, who may not have the same understanding of local needs and priorities. This undermines the principle of subsidiarity, which is a key tenet of conservative philosophy. Thirdly, the amendments to the Development Charges Act, 1997 in Schedule 3 remove housing services as a service in respect of which a development charge may be imposed. This limits the ability of municipalities to fund necessary infrastructure and services for their growing populations. It also shifts the burden of funding these services onto other taxpayers, which goes against the conservative principle of individual responsibility. Overall, the changes made by Bill 23 give too much power to the Minister and limit the autonomy of local municipalities. This undermines the principles of limited government, local control, property rights, and individual responsibility, which are all important to conservative ideology.
Royal Assent
  • Nov. 28, 2022, noon
  • Read

Assembly Motion No. 4323

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
Nov. 28, 2022, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 23
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2022, chapter 21
  • Third Reading of Bill 23, An Act to amend various statutes, to revoke various regulations and to enact the Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022.

Assembly Motion No. 4322

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
Nov. 28, 2022, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 23
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2022, chapter 21
  • Motion for closure on Third Reading of Bill 23, An Act to amend various statutes, to revoke various regulations and to enact the Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022.
Third Reading
  • Nov. 28, 2022, midnight
  • Passed

Assembly Debates

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
November 24, 2022

Assembly Debates

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
November 23, 2022
Second Reading
  • Nov. 22, 2022, midnight
  • Passed

Assembly Motion No. 4330

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
Oct. 31, 2022, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 23
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2022, chapter 21
  • Second Reading of Bill 23, An Act to amend various statutes, to revoke various regulations and to enact the Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022.

Assembly Motion No. 4329

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
Oct. 31, 2022, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 23
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2022, chapter 21
  • Motion for closure on Second Reading of Bill 23, An Act to amend various statutes, to revoke various regulations and to enact the Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022.

Assembly Debates

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
October 31, 2022

Assembly Debates

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
October 27, 2022

Assembly Debates

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
October 26, 2022
First Reading
  • Oct. 25, 2022, midnight
  • Passed