Is Bill 109 – More Homes for Everyone, 2022 – BANANA(s)?

  • May 10, 2022
  • Robert Miller and Grace O’Brien, Davies Howe LLP

On April 14, 2022, Bill 109, the More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022, received royal assent, just two weeks after it was introduced by the provincial government on March 30, 2022. Bill 109 proposed several amendments to existing legislation, including the Planning Act, the Development Charges Act, 1997, the City of Toronto Act, 2006, the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017 and the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act.

As is evident from its title, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (the “Minister”) has indicated that the purpose of Bill 109 is to increase housing supply and choice for families and individuals across the province.[1] According to the government, Bill 109 is an attempt to implement some of the Housing Affordability Task Force’s recommendations, outlined in a report released in February this year.[2] While debating the Bill, the Minister made his position clear – that the province is currently at a state of “BANANA” – “Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone”, insinuating that the changes to Bill 109 are an attempt to address this crisis.[3]