![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/www.canadiancontractor.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Richard-Lyall.jpg\")
Every journey starts with a single step. And, in light of the extremely dire housing supply and affordability crisis that we are presently facing, it is time to lace up our work boots and get moving. We must lay the groundwork today to successfully build the housing needed for tomorrow. That means finding ways to expedite the sloth-like development and planning approvals processes.<\/p>\n
In many municipalities, the period for development approval processes often extends into years. Timelines in the City of Toronto, for example, are getting worse, not better. Projects are supposed to be cleared in 90 days, but approvals processes are taking at least 600 days to advance. A recent municipal benchmarking study provided some insight into how Ontario municipalities stack up against the rest of the country when it comes to municipal planning applications and approvals. The research showed they are lagging behind their counterparts across the nation. The study, done by Altus Group for the Canadian Home Builders\u2019 Association, examined market trends and a number of municipal land use planning-related factors that may be impacting the supply of housing across Canada and contributing to housing affordability issues. A number of Ontario municipalities were near the very bottom of the list of 23 Canadian municipalities. Brampton was 18th<\/sup>, Hamilton was 19th<\/sup>, Pickering was 20th<\/sup>, Toronto was 21st<\/sup>, Markham was 22nd, and the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury was 23rd<\/sup>. As for the average application approval timeline, Toronto ranked 22nd<\/sup> of 23 municipalities. The study provides some insight into why people may be leaving Toronto and Ontario for greener pastures elsewhere.<\/p>\n To turn the housing situation around, municipalities, especially those in Ontario, must be more accountable when it comes to the approvals process. RESCON is suggesting that municipalities should be required to publicly report and post quarterly development approval metrics, so the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing can audit and more accurately monitor whether a municipality is meeting legislated timeframes. If a municipality fails to meet the mandatory requirements, the provincial government should order the municipality to undergo a third-party regulatory overview to re-evaluate how the municipality conducts its internal development and bring it into compliance.\u00a0The provincial More Homes for Everyone Act, known as Bill 109, created mechanisms to encourage prompt review and approvals, but it was repealed. As a result, we have protracted planning processes that delay construction and add significant project financing costs to projects.<\/p>\n We do have planning approvals processes and timelines established by the provincial government, but the fact of the matter is that they are not enforced or adhered to at the municipal level.\u00a0The Ontario Land Tribunal can adjudicate matters related to land use planning should a municipality fail to make a timely decision or reject an application, but it is a costly and lengthy option. Certain municipalities also have mandatory pre-application consultation requirements in place. But instead of creating barriers for development applicants to overcome, municipalities need to instead be accountable and respect legislated timeframes.<\/p>\n They say sunlight is the best medicine. More transparency and accountability in the planning approvals system is the answer. Publicly reporting and posting quarterly development approval metrics would make municipalities more accountable. The government would be able to chart the progress of municipalities.<\/p>\n Our housing crisis was caused by myriad factors, but the slow approvals process has played a big part. Delays cost money. They only add to the price tag of a new home at a time when costs are already too high. Builders are not able to build homes that ordinary working people can afford. In the City of Toronto, for example, home prices are 1.6 times higher than the Canadian average and rents are 1.3 times higher. Hamilton homes are not far behind, at 1.2 times the national average. To turn the tide around, we must speed up approvals and get shovels in the ground faster.<\/p>\n Lack of housing is causing a brain drain in Ontario. Over the last four years, 100,000 more people have moved out of the province than have moved into Ontario from other provinces, according to figures from the Smart Prosperity Institute. A third of those have gone to Alberta. Sadly, the slow approvals are a systemic self-inflicted wound that have serious quality of life consequences. High housing costs limit discretionary spending and make it harder for individuals to save and pass on wealth. They also lead to increased food insecurity and a shortage of talented workers.<\/p>\n At a time when we need more housing, the situation is actually getting much worse. Housing starts in Canada fell four per cent in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 229,030 units, down from a revised 239,322 units in January and below market expectations of 250,000.<\/p>\n Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. Bold action is necessary to speed up approvals.<\/p>\n Richard Lyall is president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON). He has represented the building industry in Ontario since 1991. Contact him at <\/em>me***<\/span>@****<\/span>on.com<\/span><\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n \t<\/div>\n