Bill 23: Friend or Foe?

Bill 23, also known as the More Homes Built Faster Act, received royal assent in November 2022 with the aim of increasing housing supply and providing attainable housing options in Ontario. It introduces amendments to various planning and development statutes to reduce government fees and speed up the development approval process. However, some stakeholders, including the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, have criticized the changes, stating that they could result in a significant shortfall for municipalities, leading to higher property taxes or reduced services for taxpayers. For example, the amendments to the Development Charges Act freeze, reduce, or exempt developments from certain charges and fees, potentially impacting the funding for municipalities.