Weak Conservative housing bill lacks vision, ambition and urgency to fix the housing crisis: NDP

QUEEN’S PARK — The Official Opposition NDP said the Ford Conservatives’ housing bill is weak, another failure by the government to take the housing crisis seriously:

“Again, the Conservatives are refusing to treat Ontario's housing crisis with the urgency it needs,” said Ontario NDP Leader, Marit Stiles.

“This is a weak bill from a government lacking in the bold vision and leadership that is needed in order to do what they should have done years ago: build at least 1.5 million homes by 2031.

“The government continues to ignore top recommendations of its own Housing Affordability Task Force, including legalizing fourplexes and four-storey multiplexes in all neighbourhoods as of right. What’s also missing: real rent control and government investment in non-market housing, without which the housing affordability crisis will continue."

“A chunk of the bill is just reversals of the government’s bad decisions,” said NDP Housing critic, MPP Jessica Bell. “All told, this bill isn't going to make it easier for Ontarians to find an affordable home or protect them from illegal eviction.”

An NDP government will do the following to fix the housing crisis:

• Spur the construction of 1.5 million homes to address the housing supply crisis
• Establish Homes Ontario and provide financing and access to public land to build affordable housing
• Allow fourplexes as-of-right in all neighbourhoods everywhere in Ontario
• Protect existing affordable housing by bringing in strong rent control