6.5K
Downloads
190
Episodes
Looking for Guelph political discussion? The Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour is 60 to 90 minute audio version of Guelph’s weekly ”Breezy Breakfast” community meetings. Each week we invite guests to discuss issues of interest to Guelph residents.
Episodes
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
March is going out like a lion which is appropriate for the topic today: Bill 23.
When Bill 23 roared through Ontario last fall, many questions were raised by supporters of municipal democracy, those concerned about urban sprawl, and others who feared it was now open season on urban development and profiteering.
The "More Homes Built Faster" Act purports to increase the number of affordable housing units; however, the definition of affordable is no longer related to income but rather to market value. In fact, there is nothing in Bill 23 that actually promotes affordable and supportive housing.
Bill 23 decreases Development, Community Benefit, and Parkland Dedication charges. This loss of revenue will lead to higher property taxes as cash-strapped municipalities must now pay for the infrastructure, parkland, and neighbourhood amenities that were once the responsibility of developers.
City Staff everywhere are scrambling to make changes that conform to Bill 23 regulations.
Municipalities have been forced to sign housing "pledges" to indicate their commitment to massive increases in housing stock by 2031.
Furthermore, there is great debate over whether Ontario actually needs 1.5 million units of housing by 2031.
Today, we are joined by three City staff members:
Jayne Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services
Tara Baker, Treasurer and General Manager of Finance
Krista Walkey, General Manager of Planning and Building Services.
They offer their perspectives on Bill 23 and respond to the many thoughtful questions posed by listeners.
We are also joined by Councillors Erin Caton and Phil Allt who provide a political lens on what is clearly the most controversial legislation affecting municipalities in Ontario in over 50 years.
Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/breezybreakfast
BREEZY BREAKFAST IS RUN BY VOLUNTEERS.
ZOOMING AND PODCASTING ARE NOT FREE.
Support us via e-transfer to breezybullhorn@gmail.com
OR, if you are old-school like me,
Email us at breezybullhorn@gmail.com
and we can work it out.
NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL.
Comments (0)
To leave or reply to comments, please download free Podbean or
No Comments
To leave or reply to comments,
please download free Podbean App.