November 23, 2022: As an update to our October 27, 2022 Briefing Note regarding Bill 23, the More Homes, Built Faster Act (“Bill 23”), an amended version of the legislation has been released. The updated Bill 23 includes proposed changes resulting from the Standing Committee consideration of Bill 23 on October 31-November 21, 2022.

The notable amendments to Bill 23 concern third party appeal rights; timing of requests Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-law Amendments, and Minor Variances; Section 37 Agreements; the scope of Site Plan control; and development charge rates for certain rental projects.

October 27, 2022: Bill 23, An Act to amend various statutes, to revoke various regulations and to enact the Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022 (“Bill 23”), was unveiled by the Ontario Government on October 25, 2022, at which time it received First Reading from the legislature.

Bill 23 amends several pieces of legislation, including important parts of the Planning Act, Development Charges Act, 1997, City of Toronto Act, 2006, Ontario Heritage Act, and the Ontario Land Tribunal Act with the intention, as expressed by the Government, of increasing housing supply to provide attainable housing options in the province of Ontario. The stated goal is 1.5 million new homes in the next 10 years.

This briefing note reviews key provisions of Bill 23 that will significantly shift the land use planning landscape moving forward.

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