Durham chair outlines GO East, Bill 23 and homelessness priorities in meeting with Ontario finance minister

Durham Region Chair and CEO John Henry met with Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy on Nov. 10, 2023, to discuss the region’s priorities for provincial investment ahead of Ontario’s 2024 budget, including GO East, growth-related infrastructure, and Durham’s projected revenue impacts from Bill 23, according to a Durham Region posting summarizing Henry’s remarks.

Henry’s comments covered GO rail planning, road and water/sewer infrastructure tied to housing growth, homelessness services, Ontario Works rates, and a request related to hospital planning.

On transit, Henry said he wanted to see “continued momentum on GO East” in the provincial budget. He also referenced the Station Contribution Fee highlighted in Ontario’s fall economic statement and spoke about transit-oriented communities around four stations.

On housing supply, Henry said Durham is working with area municipalities to support housing targets of 84,000 new homes by 2031. He said work is underway through planning growth-related investments including major roads and water and sewer infrastructure.

Henry said Durham is forecasting almost $900 million in lost revenue over ten years due to Bill 23, and that the biggest impact is from the “up-to 20 per cent discount on for-profit builds.” He said the region wants the province to honour its commitment to “make municipalities whole” for Bill 23’s impacts. Henry also cited the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund as “a step to making municipalities whole.”

Henry also encouraged the province to answer the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s call for a “Social and Economic Prosperity Review,” saying the landscape for municipal service delivery has changed.

On homelessness, Henry said Durham is opening a 45-bed shelter with support services, planning to revitalize its community housing stock, and exploring mixed-use affordable housing on regional land at 650 Rossland Rd. He said Durham operates 1,291 housing units through the Durham Region Local Housing Corporation and another 1,196 units through the Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation.

Henry said Durham is requesting increased provincial funding for affordable and supportive housing and for related supports, including mental health and addictions services. He also asked the province to increase Ontario Works rates, which he said have been unchanged since 2018, and said higher rates would help over 12,000 Durham residents and their families meet the rising cost of living.

Henry also asked the province to provide a hospital planning grant for Lakeridge.