RESCON backs Tory for re-election

VAUGHAN, ONT. — The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) board of directors is endorsing Toronto Mayor John Tory for re-election.

According to a release, RESCON supports Tory “because he has put forward a series of progressive ideas to tackle the housing shortage, speed-up approval times and get homes built faster” and it also supports the mayor’s plan to expand housing options by permitting more missing middle housing and allowing greater mid-range density on major roads in areas served by transit.

The new Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act will enable the mayor to implement the points in his plan.

The mayor also wants to cut red tape and speed up approval times by creating a development and growth division at city hall, which RESCON says is vital to streamline building approvals.

The mayor also proposes to incentivize construction of purpose-built rental housing, which there not enough of in Toronto, by reducing fees and charges as well as prioritizing the applications.

“We are in a housing supply crisis which will require major changes to be made at the municipal level to expedite housing applications and approvals,” said RESCON president Richard Lyall in a statement. “We need a leader with a steady hand to guide the ship at city hall and continue the progress that has been made.

“The mayor has a solid track record of working with both federal and provincial partners which will be key to providing the housing that is so desperately needed in the City of Toronto. Strategies he proposes in his five-point housing plan will help steer the municipality in the right direction.”