Transforming Toronto's Skyline: A Bold New Housing Strategy

In a landmark decision, Toronto's City Hall and the Ontario government have just released a groundbreaking plan that will allow the construction of larger apartment buildings around transit stations in Canada’s largest city. This reform, announced by Ontario Housing Minister Rob Flack and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow on August 15, is set to change the face of residential development in the area significantly.

30-Storey Towers and Six-Storey Apartments—A New Standard

The new regulations aim to transform the landscape within a 200-metre radius of transit stations, now permitting 30-storey towers under specific conditions. Notably, even side streets will see the introduction of six-storey apartments. The initiative doesn't stop there—within an 800-metre range from stations, four-storey apartments can now spring up, and negotiations for 14 additional mass transit station areas (MTSA) are still ongoing.

Planning consultant Blair Scorgie notes, "This definitely indicates a change of direction in Toronto. It increases the baseline for density, but it's uncertain how these plans will be implemented effectively by the city."

A Pivotal Moment Ahead of Elections

Before any construction can commence, city council must ratify these sweeping changes, which are bound to spark intense debate prior to the municipal elections next October. Experts assert that more than just zoning changes are essential to breathe life back into the city’s stagnated housing market.

Flack emphasized that this new strategy could pave the way for 1.5 million additional homes in Toronto over the next quarter-century, addressing the pressing national housing crisis.

Federal Funding at Stake: Toronto Must Comply

Toronto is under scrutiny from the federal government to fulfill its housing commitments, facing the risk of losing around $30 million in federal funds if it fails to legalize six-unit apartments citywide. This sixplex mandate was part of the requirements set by Ottawa for access to its Housing Accelerator Fund. Recently, Mayor Chow and federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson met but refrained from commenting on the ongoing funding dispute.

Resolving Old Conflicts: Transit and Zoning