Niagara concerns over Bill 23 ‘NIMBYism’

Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark is accusing Niagara of being resistant to change when asked about local concerns over new legislation that could result in fewer affordable housing units and environmental protections.

During question period Monday, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls NDP MPPs Jennie Stevens and Wayne Gates asked Clark for his government's response to issues raised by the City of St. Catharines and Niagara Region councils over Bill 23.

Regional council sent the minister a letter on Friday saying the More Homes Built Faster Act will have significant financial impacts due to development charge exemptions and discounts.

That includes the Region no longer being allowed to fund affordable housing projects from development charges, resulting in an estimated $60-million hit over the next 10 years and fewer units built.

Gates asked if the premier consulted with affected municipalities and if he will meaningfully address" the concerns of Niagara.

I know that NIMBYism - not in my backyard - is really strong in Ontario," said Clark in response.

But you know, I used the phrase after we tabled Bill 23, the fact that we've now transcended from NIMBYism to BANANA - build absolutely nothing anywhere near anyone."

Clark said the government consulted with mayors and he and the premier had a meeting in January with Ontario's Big City Mayors and regional chairs.

He said municipal fees add an average $116,900 to the cost of a home in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

If the NDP want to stand up for higher fees and high housing costs, they can do it," he said. We're going to stand up for building more supply, providing affordable opportunities. We want to make sure that that young family can realize the dream of home ownership."

Both regional and St. Catharines councils passed motions this month urging the government to defer passing Bill 23 until further evaluation, analysis and meaningful consultation" has taken place.

Both councils have said they support increasing housing.

The letter to the minister from Region Chair Jim Bradley, which included council's Nov. 3 motion, said the Region believes the legislation's laudable outcomes" rely on policy changes that create unintended consequences."

St. Catharines council's motion passed Nov. 7 said the bill fails to address the stated goals of increasing housing supply and affordability and will instead have negative impacts, including the loss of environmental protections, heritage protections, design standards and finances, transferring costs from developers to private taxpayers.

Your housing bill has been met with considerable concern," said Stevens, at Queen's Park Monday.

There are some big questions around slashing development charges like, who's paying for them? It appears to be a transfer of profits to the development industries at the expense of the community."

Stevens asked if the premier had read the report from St. Catharines and if the government would guarantee municipal taxpayers will not be left on the hook for downloaded costs when they slash" municipal revenue like development charges.

When I listen to that question, it just again rings true the desire by some municipalities to delay the reason for change," Clark responded.

There's a generation in St. Catharines that don't realize the dream of home ownership and delaying the decision is going to make things worse. We need to be sure that we get shovels in the ground faster."

He said Ontario has to build 1.5 million homes and with the number of new Canadians that are going to be welcomed to Ontario they need to step that up ever more."

Clark said it was quite interesting" that Stevens talked about development charges when he sees the Niagara Region has $206 million in its development charge reserve fund.

Daryl Barnhart, executive officer to the regional chair, said money in the Region's development charge fund is earmarked for projects such as roads and water and waste water treatment and will be down to $99 million by the end of the year.

In St. Catharines, the planning and building services department issued more than 1,300 building permits in 2021 with an estimated construction value of $236 million. Council heard last week that the city currently has 2,300 residential dwelling units ready to be built, with 1,600 of those units in the hands of the developer to complete the process.

Karena Walter is a St. Catharines-based reporter, primarily covering city hall for the Standard. Reach her via email: karena.walter@niagaradailies.com