Premier Doug Ford reiterated his stance on Wednesday, refusing to mandate municipalities to allow fourplexes on residential land, a decision that could imperil Ontario’s access to billions of dollars in federal housing funds.
During a morning news conference in Vaughan, Ford emphasized his belief in local autonomy, stating, “It’s not up to the province to dictate where every single building is going to go.”
“I believe in letting municipalities determine what is good for their communities and what is not good for their communities,” he added.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced $6 billion in new funding for infrastructure to address the national housing crisis, with a key condition being the allowance of four-unit residential dwellings “as of right” by provinces.
Despite speculation that such a measure might be included in Ontario’s forthcoming housing bill, Ford dismissed the idea just days before presenting his 2024 budget, citing anticipated community opposition.
The province’s reluctance to comply drew criticism from federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser, who expressed disappointment in Ontario’s failure to address the housing crisis.
While some Ontario cities, including Toronto and Mississauga, have moved to permit fourplexes in efforts to access federal funding, Ford remains steadfast in his commitment to local decision-making.
Trudeau emphasized that the federal infrastructure funding would be available to municipalities adhering to the federal conditions, even if provincial governments do not.
“We would love to do that right across [Ontario], but if the province doesn’t want to step up with ambition on building the infrastructure needed to support more housing in general across the province, we’ll do it specifically with willing partners,” Trudeau stated.
Ontario’s 2022 More Homes Built Faster Act already allows for up to three units on most residential land zoned for one home. Ford expressed openness to collaboration with the federal government but reiterated that planning decisions regarding fourplexes would remain within municipalities’ purview.
Amidst private-sector forecasts indicating the need for 1.5 million new homes by 2031, tensions between the federal government and Ontario persist as the province grapples with the housing challenge.