“Today, the Government of Ontario announced the introduction of the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, which aims to streamline Ontario’s planning rules, thereby reducing red tape and speeding up construction to reach the province’s goal of building 1.5 million new homes by 2031.
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has long called on decision-makers to speed up home construction while eliminating prohibitive charges. We are thrilled to see Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack and the Ford government putting forward several REALTOR®-supported, pro-growth, pro-housing policy proposals, including simplifying and lowering municipal development charges (MDCs), investing an additional $400 million into housing-enabling infrastructure, like water and wastewater projects, and committing to further harmonizing municipal and building standards.
This legislation is a significant step towards breaking down hidden cost-related barriers and eliminating burdensome red tape that drives up prices and slows down construction. OREA is pleased to see that the Act aims to reform and standardize MDCs – charges that are intended to pay for local infrastructure, like roads, utilities, water, and wastewater services, but are often looked at as a more general source of revenue, adding up to $135,000 to the average home’s price tag. Reforming MDCs would put more money back into the pockets of consumers and create a more level playing field for future homebuyers. The immediate injection of funding into the Housing-Enabling Water Systems and Municipal Housing Infrastructure Funds will help accommodate for changes to MDCs as municipalities continue to fund and build the services and infrastructure that support new housing starts.
The proposed changes under this legislation would also allow the Province to unlock the full economic potential of several transformative infrastructure projects, such as the Ontario Line and Ring of Fire – both previously identified by Ontario REALTORS® as two of the ten infrastructure projects for a more competitive Ontario. If passed, these tools would help fast-track planning and approvals for exactly these kinds of province-building projects, which in turn will drive local growth and new home construction projects.
With the economic uncertainties brought on by tariffs, we need our elected leaders to continue to protect Ontario jobs, address the rising cost of living, and ensure all Ontarians have a great place to call home. Now more than ever, we have to keep our foot on the gas if we want to bring the dream of homeownership back within reach for hardworking Ontarians.”
– Cathy Polan, 2025 President of the Ontario Real Estate Association
For more information, contact:
Jean-Adrien Delicano
Senior Manager, Media Relations, OREA
JeanAdrienD@orea.com
416-459-6059
