The Ontario government has introduced the Home Buyers’ Assistance and Tenant Protection Act, 2023, continuing its responsible and focused approach to implementing its plan. It expects to build 1.5 million homes by 2031, laying a solid foundation to make life easier and housing more affordable for Ontario residents.

If enacted, the proposed changes would enhance protections for home buyers, assist tenants, and simplify rules around land use planning.

Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, said: “Our government has made real progress in addressing Ontario’s housing supply crisis, as the current level of housing starts remains above historical averages. Like the rest of North America, Ontario faces headwinds leading to a slowdown in residential construction, including inflation, soaring interest rates, and labor shortages. Despite these challenges, our government will continue to take the necessary steps to prepare Ontario to build more homes as market conditions improve.”

The Home Buyers’ Assistance and Tenant Protection Plan includes the following:

$6.5 million investment to appoint 40 additional adjudicators and hire five staff to improve service standards and continue reducing the number of pending applications and decision times at the Landlord and Tenant Board. This increase more than doubles the number of full-time adjudicators on the board.

Increased protections against evictions based on renovation, demolition, conversion, or owner use, in addition to clarifying tenants’ right to install air conditioning.

Extension for Ontario credit unions to secure deposits linked to savings accounts for first property purchases and studying the possibility of providing a cooling-off or cancellation period applicable to new home purchases, along with a mandatory legal review of any new home purchase agreement.

Freezing 74 types of provincial fees at the 2023-2024 level. This includes fees that directly or indirectly increase the cost of housing. Accelerating government approvals by updating the 2020 Provincial Policy Statement and integrating it with the Growth Plan; this is a housing-focused approach at the provincial level.

Meanwhile, Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Housing, said: “Our government has been steadily focused on addressing Ontario’s housing supply crisis since taking office. We have policies in place helping to build more homes across Ontario, but we know more must be done. This announcement is the next step in our plan to ensure continued growth in Ontario’s housing supply over the long term, so more Ontarians can truly find a home they can afford.”

Ontario is conducting consultations on the proposed new Regional Planning Statement, which will last 60 days and end on June 5, 2023. The new province-wide planning policy document will give municipalities more flexibility, reduce overlaps, create more housing in urban and rural communities, support local economies, and create jobs while continuing to protect the environment (including the Greenbelt) and public safety.

It will also require municipalities and school boards to work together to identify school and child care needs early in the development process so families moving into new homes can expect local schools to be able to accommodate their children.

The government continues to work with its municipal partners to ensure cities, towns, and rural communities grow with a mix of owned and rental housing that meets the needs of the province’s residents.