Item - 2016.EX15.27

Tracking Status

  • City Council adopted this item on June 7, 2016 without amendments and without debate.
  • This item was considered by the Executive Committee on May 24, 2016 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on June 7, 2016.

EX15.27 - City of Toronto's Response to Bill 204

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Adopted on Consent
Wards:
All

City Council Decision

City Council on June 7, 8 and 9, 2016, adopted the following:

 

1.  City Council request Toronto's Housing Advocate, Councillor Ana Bailão, to lead the City's response to Bill 204, an Act to amend or repeal various Acts with respect to housing and planning in consultation with the Chair, Community Development and Recreation Committee on the amendments to the Housing Services Act, and in consultation with the Chair, Planning and Growth Management Committee on the preparation of the City's submission to the Province's Inclusionary Zoning Consultation Guide.

Background Information (Committee)

(May 24, 2016) Letter from Mayor Tory on City of Toronto's Response to Bill 204
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-93366.pdf

EX15.27 - City of Toronto's Response to Bill 204

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Adopted
Wards:
All

Committee Recommendations

The Executive Committee recommends that:

 

1.  City Council request Toronto's Housing Advocate, Councillor Ana Bailão, to lead the City's response to Bill 204, An Act to amend or repeal various Acts with respect to housing and planning in consultation with Chair, Community Development Committee on the amendments to the Housing Services Act, and in consultation with the Chair, Planning and Growth Management Committee on the preparation of the City's submission to the Province's Inclusionary Zoning Consultation Guide.

Origin

(May 24, 2016) Letter from Mayor Tory

Summary

On May 18th, 2016 the Province introduced Bill 204, an Act to amend or repeal various Acts with respect to housing and planning. The legislation is intended to promote social and affordable housing through proposed changes to the Planning Act, the Development Charges Act and the Housing Services Act.
 
Once these changes are in effect, they will among other matters, enable municipalities to implement inclusionary zoning.  They will also exempt secondary suites in new homes from development charges and give social housing managers more administrative and operational flexibility.
 
As you are aware, Toronto City Council has on numerous occasions called for the legislative authority to require new affordable housing as part of new residential developments.  The Provincial announcement is very welcomed news as the Province has taken a progressive first step by introducing inclusionary zoning legislation.
 
The proposed changes to the Housing Services Act also respond to some of the findings of the Mayor's Task Force on Toronto Community Housing.  In addition to introducing Bill 204, the Province has also released an Inclusionary Zoning Consultation Discussion Guide and requested responses on the discussion questions by August 16, 2016.  It is also anticipated that the draft inclusionary zoning regulations will be shortly released.
 
Given the City's interest in Bill 204 and the provincial consultations, I am recommending to the Executive Committee that Toronto's Housing Advocate, Councillor Ana Bailão, lead the City's response, in consultation with the Chair of the Planning and Growth Committee and the Chair of the Community Development Committee.
 
In preparing the City's response to Bill 204 Councillor Bailao would consult with members of Council and be supported by City officials.  She would also engage relevant stakeholders.  Staff will also be assessing and reporting on the planning implications of the new legislation.

Background Information

(May 24, 2016) Letter from Mayor Tory on City of Toronto's Response to Bill 204
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-93366.pdf

Motions

1 - Motion to Add New Business at Committee moved by Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon (Carried)

2 - Motion to Adopt Item moved by Mayor John Tory (Carried)
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council