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Inclusionary housing (and the promise of thousands of new affordable homes in new developments across the province) is one step closer in Ontario as MPP Cheri DiNovo’s Bill 198  passed second reading in the Ontario Legislature on Thursday, September 24th . The legislation would amend the Planning Act to give municipalities the power to require developers to include affordable housing in new developments. While private member’s bills, especially those from opposition parties, don’t have a good track record in the provincial legislature, Bill 198 was supported  by MPP Lou Rinaldi, the Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario housing minister Jim Watson, which suggests government support. The bill now moves to General Government Committee for review, possible amendments and then back to the legislature for third and final reading.

The government sets the agenda for standing committees and it is important that we begin to lobby to make sure that this bill is dealt with at the earliest possible time and that there be an opportunity to meaningful public input in the committee’s discussion.

It would be useful at this time to begin calling, emailing and writing MPPs and contacts in Municipal Affairs and Housing to ask the following questions:

When will Bill 198 be taken up by the committee?
Will there be an opportunity to provide written submissions to the committee (if so, when)?
Will there be an opportunity to make an oral submission to the committee during any public hearings (if so, when)?

Please forward any responses to brian@wellesleyinstitute.com

Bill 198, An Act to amend the Planning Act with respect to inclusionary housing
Background paper on Inclusionary Housing prepared for the Housing Network of Ontario.