As Ontario’s controversial Bill 5 faces potential amendments, Municipal Affairs Minister Paul Calandra insists the “essence” of the legislation will remain intact despite mounting pressure from municipalities and advocacy groups.
“We’re listening, but the fundamental aspects of this bill aren’t going anywhere,” Calandra told reporters outside Queen’s Park yesterday. The minister acknowledged his office is reviewing feedback but emphasized the province’s determination to move forward with the housing-focused legislation.
Bill 5, formally titled the “Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act,” has sparked intense debate across Ontario communities since its introduction last month. The legislation grants the province unprecedented powers to override municipal planning decisions and streamline approvals for housing developments near transit corridors.
Mayor Olivia Chow of Toronto expressed frustration during Tuesday’s council meeting. “Once again, Queen’s Park seems determined to bulldoze local decision-making while claiming collaboration,” she said, pointing to analysis from city planners suggesting the bill could reduce affordable housing requirements in major developments by up to 35 percent.
The Ontario Municipal Association released polling data yesterday showing 68% of residents believe local governments should maintain primary control over planning decisions. “This isn’t about resisting change,” said OMA President James Williams. “It’s about ensuring growth happens responsibly with proper infrastructure planning.”
Inside sources at Queen’s Park suggest amendments might focus on three areas: extending implementation timelines, preserving some municipal design standards, and potentially strengthening affordable housing provisions. However, the province remains firm on eliminating certain environmental reviews and community consultation requirements.
Housing advocate Patricia Gomez with BuildON sees potential in the bill but worries about unintended consequences. “We desperately need housing, particularly in the GTHA, but rushing development without proper planning could create tomorrow’s problems,” she told me during a community forum in Mississauga last week.
The bill’s impacts would vary significantly across the province. Smaller communities like Belleville and Kingston have expressed concerns about lacking the resources to process accelerated development applications, while larger cities worry about infrastructure capacity.
Premier Doug Ford defended the legislation during a visit to a Hamilton construction site on Monday. “Folks, we’re in a housing crisis. When young people can’t afford a home, something’s broken. This bill fixes that,” Ford said, though he notably didn’t address specific municipal concerns about implementation challenges.
Environmental groups, including Environmental Defence, have criticized provisions allowing development on previously protected lands. “There’s a difference between cutting red tape and cutting essential protections,” said Anika Singh, the organization’s policy director. “Some of these changes risk long-term damage to watersheds and green spaces that actually make communities livable.”
The bill is currently before committee, where deputations from stakeholders continue through next week. Government insiders suggest amended legislation could return to the legislature by early June, with implementation beginning this fall.
Opposition housing critic Jessica Bell called the consultation process “performative” while pointing to campaign finance records showing substantial developer donations to the governing party. “This bill was written by and for developers, not communities,” Bell claimed during Question Period.
For regular Ontarians, the immediate impacts remain unclear. Homebuilders suggest housing starts could increase by 25,000 units annually under the new rules, potentially moderating price growth in coming years. However, municipal officials warn of increased infrastructure costs that could ultimately be passed to taxpayers.
The City of Ottawa estimates implementing Bill 5 could require hiring at least 18 additional planning staff at a cost of approximately $2.3 million annually. Similar concerns about resource constraints have been raised by mid-sized municipalities across the province.
Real estate analyst Morgan Chen with UrbanMetrics believes the market impacts may be less dramatic than either side suggests. “Development timelines are influenced by many factors beyond approvals, including financing, labour availability, and material costs,” Chen explained. “This bill addresses one piece of a complex puzzle.”
As the province weighs amendments, the fundamental question remains whether streamlining development approvals alone can meaningfully address Ontario’s housing crisis without creating new problems for communities. The answer may not be clear for years to come.
