Ontario's Latest Move to Accelerate Building Could Land Cities in Legal Quagmire

New legislation aims to slash red tape, but critics say it could lead to more lawsuits and environmental damage

Ontario's government recently announced plans to accelerate the construction of new homes and businesses by slashing red tape and streamlining the development approval process. However, critics say the move could lead to more lawsuits and environmental damage.

The new legislation, which is expected to be introduced in the coming months, would:

1. Reduce the number of steps required to obtain a building permit.
2. Give municipalities less time to review development applications.
3. Limit the ability of residents to appeal development decisions.

The government says the changes are needed to address the province's housing shortage and make it easier for businesses to expand. However, critics say the move will come at a cost to the environment and local democracy.

"This legislation is a developer's dream," said environmental lawyer David Suzuki. "It will make it easier for them to build whatever they want, wherever they want, without any regard for the consequences."

Suzuki says the legislation will weaken environmental protections and make it harder for residents to hold developers accountable for the impacts of their projects.

"This is a recipe for disaster," he said. "It's going to lead to more lawsuits, more environmental damage, and less public input into the development process."

Municipal leaders are also concerned about the legislation. They say it will reduce their ability to plan for growth and protect their communities from sprawl.

"We're very concerned about the potential impacts of this legislation," said Toronto Mayor John Tory. "We need to make sure that we're building the right kind of homes in the right places."

Tory says he wants to see the government work with municipalities to develop a more balanced approach to development.

"We need to find a way to build more homes without sacrificing our environmental standards or our local democracy," he said.

The government has defended the legislation, saying it will make Ontario more competitive and help to create jobs. However, critics say the legislation is short-sighted and will ultimately do more harm than good.

Conclusion

The debate over Ontario's new development legislation is likely to continue in the coming months. It remains to be seen whether the government will be able to address the concerns of critics and find a balance between the need for more housing and the protection of the environment and local democracy.