Category: NEWS - Page 6 - Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods

Update on Greenbelt expansion proposal from Province

Published on: April 25, 2022

“We, the 62 undersigned organizations, would like to convey our profound disappointment with the narrow, minimalist and inadequate scope of the government’s proposed expansion to the Greenbelt, as set out in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) phase 2 consultation. We, and over 6,000 members of the public, participated in good faith in the 2021 consultation. Yet, this input was almost entirely ignored.” Ontario Nature

The province asked for further feedback on the proposed expansion of the Greenbelt, with a deadline of April 23, 2022 for submission. This is the response from Ontario Nature and the 62 organizations, including the Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods.

Don’t let the provincial government pave our future

Published on: April 13, 2022

Ontario’s election is coming up fast, and at stake is the future we want for our communities.

Former Mayor of Toronto and Greenbelt Council chair David Crombie, and the Friends of the Greater Golden Horseshoe invite you to join them on April 20th at 7 p.m. for an online Call to Action to save – not pave – Ontario’s future.

In the lively discussion you’ll see a compelling array of speakers, and learn more about why highway-based sprawl sacrifices our future – and what we can do to stop it.

Bill 109 – More Homes for Everyone Act

Published on: April 11, 2022 | Last Updated on: April 13, 2022

The Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods (Ontario) is an umbrella group of community associations throughout Ontario. As such we maintain a close interest in the changes to provincial planning legislation introduced by the Government. The latest changes amount to another massive overhaul of the planning process and a new set of directives focussed on supply, rather than demand for homes, but in addition, reducing the role of duly elected municipal councils, and attacking residents who devote their time and energy to contribute to their communities’ development.

The Government’s policy changes, including moving forward with Highway 413, and making municipalities designate more farmland for development, have favoured companies looking to build low-density sprawl outside Toronto.

Underwhelming Greenbelt expansion proposal from Province

Published on: April 8, 2022

“This announcement offers no new protection for the lands that need it and ignores the need to expand the Greenbelt in key areas,” said Tim Gray from Environmental Defence. “If this government was serious about Greenbelt protection, it would have added lands threatened by sprawl development. And it would have announced a stop to its plans to build the completely unnecessary and expensive Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass which will go right through the Greenbelt.”
Tim Gray, Environmental Defence

On March 24, 2022, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs released a Greenbelt Expansion proposal plan. Following public consultation to expand the Greenbelt to shield more green space from being developed, the province is proposing the addition of 13 urban river valleys to the Greenbelt, a horseshoe-shaped swath of protected farmlands, wetlands and watersheds around Toronto.

Ontario raises foreign-buyers tax on home purchases to 20 percent

Published on: April 8, 2022

The Ontario government has made changes effective March 30, 2022, to the non-resident speculation tax, as part of the action plan on housing. The intent is to increase supply for Ontario residents and discourage foreign speculators looking to turn a quick profit.

The tax for foreign homebuyers has been increased to 20 percent.
A loophole has been closed that allowed foreign students and workers to get a tax rebate on real estate purchases.
Rebates and other exemptions will still be available for students and workers who become permanent residents of Canada.
The tax has been expanded to cover all residential properties across the province.

413 will facilitate massive, destructive sprawl

Published on: March 26, 2022

Holland Marsh over Bradford - aerial view

The proposed Highway 413 will facilitate massive, destructive urban sprawl unless it is stopped.

There is increasing opposition from many individuals and organizations who are gravely concerned about the impacts of this proposed highway. Those concerned include public health, municipal, business, agricultural, environmental and community groups.

Highway 413 alone would be devastating. It would slice through the Greenbelt and destroy over 800 hectares of class 1 and 2 farmland, impact 220 wetlands covering 130 hectares, impact or remove 680 hectares of wildlife habitat including forest, wetland and meadows and create crossings of 85 rivers and streams – including the Humber and Credit River Valleys. Over 1000 hectares of land identified as important for wildlife movement will be removed or intersected.*

Groups launch lawsuit over feds refusal to do Environmental Impact study of Bradford Bypass

Published on: March 21, 2022 | Last Updated on: March 26, 2022

On March 14, 2022, seven environmental and community organizations filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault. The lawsuit challenges the Minister’s failure to designate the Bradford Bypass highway project for a federal impact assessment.

The organizations previously made two requests for a federal impact assessment on the proposed Bradford Bypass (or Holland Marsh Highway), which would cut through the Greenbelt, the Holland Marsh provincially significant wetland, and the headwater rivers at the south end of the Lake Simcoe watershed. The federal government turned down both requests. The lawsuit challenges the government’s decision to turn down the second request.

Boards and Bylaws

Published on: March 6, 2022 | Last Updated on: March 8, 2022

Special Webinar on ONCA Changes – Feb. 16, 2022

Ontario’s Not-for-profit Corporations Act (ONCA) was proclaimed on October 19th, 2021. Nonprofits have 3 years to update their bylaws and letters patent to comply with ONCA. This webinar, featuring Benjamin Miller from CLEO, was hosted by the Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations (FoNTRA) in conjunction with the Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods. It will walk you through what is new in the ONCA, steps nonprofits need to take to transition to the ONCA, and how CLEO’s free resources can help you create ONCA compliant bylaws from scratch or adapt your current bylaws.

Watch the Webinar

Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force

Published on: February 23, 2022

The Ontario government struck this task force in December 2021, and the final Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force Report was delivered to the Minister of Housing at the end of January 2022. The members of the Task Force and their biographies are detailed in Appendix A of the Report.

A goal was set for Ontario to build 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years to address the supply shortage.

The Report details 55 Recommendations:

Southern Ontario Growth Conference

Published on: February 13, 2022

Your voice needs to be heard. Get access to resources to help.

Many municipalities are trying to understand how to best integrate climate change into their municipal decision-making process, such as in the development of their official plan. Because plans for growth and infrastructure have far-reaching impacts on climate change, municipalities are seeking additional guidance to better understand how to integrate into practice various, seemingly competing, priorities.

With official plans currently being finalized, the goal of this conference is to lift up the voices of experts, organizations, individuals and community groups that may not readily have the ear of elected officials and municipal planners.