Cutting Red Tape to Build More 91Ô´´s Act is a threat to housing affordability and community engagement
 Bill 185 strips local municipalities of the ability to consult on major planning applications, reducing their capacity to safeguard community interests.
The recent introduction of Bill 185, dubbed “Cutting Red Tape to Build More 91Ô´´s Act, 2024,” should more aptly be named “Cutting Community Voices to Build Profitable 91Ô´´s.” This legislation significantly reduces public input in development projects, which fundamentally undermines democratic processes and the role of community insights in urban planning.
Introduced on April 10, this proposed bill not only limits community engagement but also threatens the dismissal of existing appeals, including one I initiated at the Ontario Land Tribunal to implement OPA558. This appeal is crucial as OPA558 defines housing affordability based on income rather than market rates, advocating for a Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) model. The implications of disregarding such appeals could devastate efforts toward equitable urban development.
Moreover, Bill 185 strips local municipalities of the ability to consult on major planning applications, reducing their capacity to safeguard community interests. The potential encroachment on green spaces by this bill would further endanger environmental sustainability, our Greenbelt and the inclusion of necessary community benefits in new developments.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
In light of these concerns, I strongly recommend the following:
Reinstate community engagement: It’s imperative that the bill’s provisions limiting public input be reconsidered to ensure active community involvement.
Preserve appeal rights: Maintaining the right to appeal development decisions is essential for a fair urban planning process.
Maintain municipal consultation: We must keep mandatory municipal consultations for major planning applications to ensure balanced development.
Protect green spaces: Stringent assessments are needed to prevent unnecessary encroachment on our vital green areas.
It is essential for our community to stand together and advocate for these changes to Bill 185, ensuring development in 91Ô´´ remains both socially equitable and environmentally sustainable.
Walied Khogali Ali, co-chair, Regent Park Neighbourhood Association, 91Ô´´
Camp is an experience the lasts a lifetime that many kids don’t have access to.
With your support, the 91Ô´´ Star Fresh Air Fund provides opportunities for financially vulnerable children to ignite a lifelong love for adventure at camp. Above all, your kindness makes it happen.
