OOSTERHOFF DECLINES COUNCIL INVITE

COUNCILLORS UNITED IN DISAPPOINTMENT AT LACK OF ANSWERS

Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff has declined Grimsby council's request to join them for an informational session on Bill 23.

In a meeting early in December, council passed a motion to request Oosterhoff join them for an open session meeting to discuss the bill, otherwise known as the More Housing Built Faster Act.

Bill 23 is a piece of legislation brought forward by Doug Ford's provincial government that passed on third reading Nov. 28.

In a letter received by council Jan. 16., Oosterhoff said he would not be attending the meeting, but addressed some alleged misunderstandings such as "that Bill 23 is ripping up the Greenbelt."

"In a separate action, the government has proposed to adjust the boundary of the two-millionacre Greenbelt near existing urban areas, but the changes would ultimately lead to the overall expansion of the Greenbelt by approximately 2,000 acres, as well as the creation of at least 50,000 new homes in the near future," he said in the letter. "In Niagara, these changes account for approximately 88 acres of land which is currently abutting urban areas and is not in agricultural production."

He also attempted to clarify the government's changes to development charges, saying they are only being removed from affordable and inclusionary zoning units, not-for-profit housing and select attainable housing units, with reductions of up to 25 per cent for purpose-built rentals.

"For most other homes, Bill 23 simply limits the rate at which cities can raise development charges — which already add about $116,900 to the cost of an average home in the GTA," the letter said.

However, it was clear councillors were disappointed at his decision not to attend in person.

Coun. Nick DiFlavio was particularly frustrated that the letter didn't address what Bill 23 will cost the town.

"There's a lot of buzzwords like, you know, more housing and all those things, but ... at no point during this bill was the cost of this bill ever spelled out," he said. "So the level of irresponsibility of passing such a sweeping bill without ever dealing with the impact, the financial impact of that bill, is beyond belief."

"To pass a bill that doesn't tell us what it's going to cost, and then to respond that 'I'm not going to come to council because I don't know the actual cost,' it's frustrating to say the least," he continued.

"One would think that the province just pushed it through, and they don't know the answer," responded Mayor Jeff Jordan.

Coun. Delight Davoli said the development charges part of the letter insinuates the cost to the town will not be great. She disagrees. "(It's) like an octopus with arms," she said. "There are implications beyond just the development charges to our organization."

Council unanimously passed a motion to send Oosterhoff a response letter with some of the comments made at the meeting.

Separately, Coun. Jennifer Korstanje presented a motion that was passed unanimously to have town staff and lawyers provide advice to council on pausing new developments to review the implications of Bill 23.

Korstanje said because they haven't had their questions answered by the MPP, the town will require outside consultation for further analysis to develop a municipal strategy going forward.

"Council and the Corporation of the Town of Grimsby have the responsibility to protect our tax base, our seniors, and residents on fixed incomes," her motion read.