EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT CAN DO MORE
Municipal Government
Municipal governments in Ontario have been given primary jurisdiction over land use planning and housing policy by the Province. While it is worthwhile to correct many issues at the provincial level, municipalities have the tools they need to move on this issue independently. Our suggestions will improve city affordability, the financial sustainability of municipal government, improve services, and help Toronto meet it's climate objectives.
While The Big 5 Municipal Housing Plaform was created for 2022 City of Toronto elections, the principles and policies can apply to all municipalities in the province. They are:
- Legalize Housing For All
- Make Rules That Make Sense
- Build Affordable At Every Opportunity
- Ensure Consultation Reflects Communities
- Tax Equitably And Sustainably
Provincial Government
Provinces are constitutionally empowered with rights over land use and housing policy, even if they extend jurisdiction to municipalities. As such, the Government Of Ontario has the greatest powers to change the trajectory of housing unaffordability in the province. If the province pursue's our suggestions, the regional housing crises will be alleviated, and a far more dynamic, participatory, and attainable housing future is possible.
While The Big 3 Provincial Housing Platform was created in late 2021 for the Housing Affordability Task Force, the suggestions continue to be as relevant:
- Ensure The Market Functions Like A Market
Changes to growth planning, zoning, rules, processes, barrier & fees
- Make Rental & Non-Market Housing Work
Policies that incentivize market rental, affordable, co-op and public housing - Aligning Incentives & Enforcing Targets
Policies for better public consultations and more cooperative municipalities
Federal Government
While the federal government does not have constitutional purview over land use and housing policy, it does have incredible financial and regulatory powers along with the attention of the National Media. Given their ability to influence national policy, the Federal Government can do much more than it's letting on to encourage reforms to end the housing crisis, particularly in Ontario & BC.
- Dominate The Conversation & Incentivize Better Practices
- Funding Housing & Investing Better
- Incentivize Better Systems, Disincentivize Speculatative Demand
- Immigration, Supply Chains, and Innovative Policy