QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Catherine Fife (Waterloo) is demanding answers from the Ford government after Waterloo City Council was forced to delay construction of 800 new homes because of Bill 23.
“While the housing crisis gets worse in Ontario, Ford is removing key funding streams that support housing development,” said Fife. “This construction project would have provided homes to hundreds of people in the Waterloo community who will now be left waiting.”
On February 6, Waterloo councillors voted to defer a $68 million reconstruction project that would have created 800 homes, because the Ford government’s Bill 23 is eliminating the development fees that municipalities rely on to help pay for necessary infrastructure.
“Waterloo council wants to support these new housing starts”, said Fife. “The people of Waterloo want new homes in our community. The only thing that’s standing in the way is the Ford government, who have left municipalities scrambling to find resources while developers pocket a bonus.”
“The government must repeal Bill 23 and truly consult with municipal leaders,” said Fife. “The Ontario NDP know that there are better, more effective solutions to actually build the homes that Ontario needs.”
NDP: Ford’s housing plan fails it’s first test in Waterloo
Published on February 22, 2023