Toronto’s Development Charges Are Skyrocketing, Slowing Housing Construction

Development charges in Ontario municipalities have surged nearly 400% over the past decade, hampering new housing construction and affordability in Canada’s most populous province, according to industry data.

In Toronto, charges for semi-detached houses have reached $140,000 per unit, while charges for two-bedroom condos have increased to $80,690.

The high charges are deterring new construction projects and driving up home prices. First-time homebuyers and young families face heightened barriers to entry, effectively subsidizing existing residents’ property taxes.

The charges, introduced in 1989 to fund infrastructure for new developments, have evolved into a revenue tool that allows cities to maintain low property taxes for existing residents, analysis shows.

Not surprisingly, Ontario’s housing starts fell 17% in the third quarter year-over-year, threatening the province’s target of 1.5 million new homes by 2031, the Financial Accountability Office reported.

Also read: Canadian Housing Starts Remain Flat In October

Burlington and Vaughan have recently reduced their development charges, but most Ontario municipalities continue to raise fees, according to the Smart Prosperity Institute, an Ottawa-based think tank. British Columbia also implements similar charges, though generally at lower rates than Ontario. Most other Canadian provinces do not significantly rely on such fees.


Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Leave a Reply

Video Articles

We’re At The Start of a Great Silver Boom | Ross McElroy & Andy Bowering – Apollo Silver Corp

Equinox Gold Q1 Earnings: When Everything Goes Wrong

SSR Mining Q1 Earnings: Costs Continue To Climb

Recommended

PTX Metals Hits 235.1 Metres Of Copper, Nickel Mineralization In Longest Intercept To Date At W2

Riverside Resources Spins Out Blue Jay Gold Corp

Related News

Toronto Condo Sales Fall 91% As Prices Tumble

The Greater Toronto housing market reached a critical turning point in October as new construction...

Thursday, November 28, 2024, 07:30:58 AM

The Ballooning Toronto Condo Problem

Despite anticipated easing of interest rates later in the year, the Toronto real estate market,...

Monday, May 6, 2024, 10:14:24 AM

A Growing Number of GTA Homebuyers Are Choosing to Walk Away from Their Massive Deposits

In the preconstruction real estate industry, a growing concern has emerged as homebuyers face difficulties...

Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 11:22:00 AM

Rent-Striking Thorncliffe Park Tenants To Get Evicted

Tenants in Thorncliffe Park, an apartment complex in Toronto who have been protesting above-guideline rent...

Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 03:13:00 PM

OSFI Raises Concerns Over Potential Mortgage Defaults in Canada

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institution (OSFI) has released its Annual Risk Outlook...

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 08:29:01 AM