City Committee to Receive Province's Proposed Legislation on Housing & Infrastructure Development
Bill 17 media release to appear in Owen Sound committee meeting agenda as correspondence for information.
The Ontario government has introduced new legislation aimed at accelerating the construction of housing and infrastructure across the province.
The proposed Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 (Bill 17) was announced on May 12 and is set to be included in the May 21 meeting agenda of Owen Sound’s Community Services Committee as correspondence provided for information.
The legislation proposes a range of changes intended to streamline municipal development approvals and reduce costs, including:
Simplifying development charges through standardization, based on practices already in place in some municipalities.
Limiting the scope of required studies for development applications to those approved by the province.
Increasing provincial oversight in planning matters, with broader powers for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Extending Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) authority to the Minister of Infrastructure, particularly for transit-oriented development.
Investing an additional $400 million in water and core infrastructure through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, bringing the total to nearly $2.3 billion over four years.
The province says the proposed changes will reduce red tape, lower construction costs, and make it easier for developers to get housing projects approved and built.
In a media release, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing noted that the bill reflects input from municipal leaders and is part of a broader push to address housing affordability and supply.
While several large municipalities and industry groups have welcomed the new legislation, it also introduces changes that may affect how local governments approach planning and approvals.
These include provisions that would restrict municipalities from requiring additional studies beyond those already outlined by the province, potentially limiting local decision-making authority in some areas.
At this stage, no formal recommendation is expected from Owen Sound’s Community Services Committee. The legislation is being presented as correspondence for information only, giving local officials the opportunity to review the proposal and its potential implications ahead of any future provincial or municipal developments.
Owen Sound Current will continue to monitor the legislation and report on any local response or implications as they develop.
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