OTTAWA — Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says the city needs financial support from the provincial and federal governments for the lost revenue associated with a provincial housing bill.
He says if the city does not receive such support, it will face significant budget pressures in the coming years.
Bill 23 or the More Homes Built Faster Act, passed in November, is Ontario’s attempt to quickly build more housing units.
But Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government has received criticism because the bill allows for the reducing or exempting of development fees normally paid to the city.
The mayor said in a November letter to the province’s municipal affairs and housing minister that the bill would result in a $130 million loss, leaving an infrastructure funding gap.
The city tabled what the mayor called a “tight” draft budget today for 2023 that includes $129 million for housing and homelessness.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
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