The Ontario government has announced new legislative changes that, if passed, would give the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa more power to advance provincial priorities that would bring more homes to market faster.

According to Tim Hudak, CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association, the proposed act represents a good step forward in addressing the housing crisis in Ontario, as it would help cut red tape and speed up the local planning process by giving municipal leaders the ability to reduce timelines for development, standardize processes, and address local barriers to increasing housing supply.

Huduk added that the ‘Strong Mayors’ system would allow for the adjustment of development plans to create gentle density as needed, ensuring municipalities are not introducing policy or bylaw changes that directly contravene or work against provincial priorities—including the commitment to build 1.5 million homes over the next decade. Further changes that could help speed new housing supply include mayoral responsibility for budgets, the ability to appoint a CAO, and the ability to hire and replace department heads, including the Chief Planner.

“While today’s new legislation is a good step towards giving mayors a greater role in accelerating housing supply and cutting red tape and runaround, Ontario’s REALTORS would like to see these powers expanded to other urban areas,” he said. “More can still be done to address the existing housing affordability crisis, including ending exclusionary zoning in Ontario’s highest-demand urban neighborhoods, which would allow for the building of duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes on lots traditionally zoned for single-family housing.”

For the full government backgrounder, click here: Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act | Ontario Newsroom