The distaste towards the province’s Bill 23: More Homes Built Fast Act was evident at Lanark County’s Economic Development Committee meeting Wednesday night.
This continued the trend of local governments speaking out against it. Smiths Falls council denounced it Monday night, as did the Town of Perth earlier this month.
After county planner Julie Stewart summarized some of the more significant changes in the bill, the floor was opened for comments, and many were made.
Including from Tay Valley Township reeve Rob Rainer.
Perth Mayor Judy Brown doubts very much the province will listen to any input they may provide but feels it’s better to go down protesting than saying nothing at all.
Brown called the bill a “scheme,” in Ford’s plan to build lots of homes but lower the requirement of affordable housing, leaving those already struggling to find housing in the same situation they’re in now.
Mississippi Mills mayor Christa Lowry alluded to the Association of Municipalities Ontario coming out against Bill 23 as all the evidence you need to show there’s fundamental issues with what’s being proposed.
The county is asking the provincial government for an extended deadline to allow for further comments to be made, and the horseshoe discussed inviting Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan in to answer their questions, but no formal invite was made.
Stewart’s presentation summarizing some of the proposed changes can be found here.
Story by Grant Deme
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