1. That the report dated June 10, 2025, titled " Comments on the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act (Bill 17)" be received; and,
2. That this report be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Infrastructure, and Minister of Transportation as the City of Markham’s comments on Bill 17; and,
Amendment to the Building Transit Faster Act, 2020
3. That the Province establish a formal process for consultation and coordination with municipalities in the development of provincial transit projects and the management of construction activities including traffic management plans; and,
4. That the Province work collaboratively with the City to monitor local impacts, provide regular project updates, and ensure timely notification to affected stakeholders and the public; and,
Amendments to the Planning Act
5. That the Province require formal municipal consultation to demonstrate that local transportation policies and plans are considered and aligned before issuing MZOs or imposing conditions that may adversely impact transportation systems; and,
6. That the Province clarify and provide further guidance on how MZO conditions will be cleared, to whose satisfaction, and provide a specific list of the items that can be conditioned; and,
7. That the Province ensure school sites are not located in areas that are not appropriate for sensitive land uses; and,
Proposed Regulations – Complete Applications
8. That Council not support regulations that would limit the scope, type or number of studies that may be required as part of a complete application and instead provide guidance to municipalities to facilitate consistency across the Province; and,
9. That if the Province proceeds, at a minimum sun/shadow and wind impact studies should be required as a part of Zoning Bylaw Amendment and Site Plan Control Applications; and,
10. That the Province partner with Ontario municipalities and practitioners on common practices and criteria for urban design studies to ensure consistency across all jurisdictions; and,
11. That the Province provide more details on the process and requirements for certifying professionals for which municipalities would be required to accept studies; and,
Proposed Regulation As-of-right Variations from Setback Requirements
12. That Council not support changes to the Planning Act to enable the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to permit variations from the zoning by-law within a prescribed percentage; and,
13. That the Province limit the applicability of the proposed legislation to existing development with reduced zoning setbacks and legal non-conforming uses; and,
Amendments to Transit Oriented Communities Act
14. That Council is generally supportive of the proposed changes where the implementation of Transit Oriented Communities aligns with the local municipal visions or plans are developed in consultation with the municipality to ensure local priorities are protected; and,
Building Code - Eliminate Secondary Approvals for Innovative Construction Materials
15. That Council support all proposed changes to streamline Ministers’ rulings process for construction products; and,
16. That Council not support Building Code research efforts geared towards single unit four storey townhouses as these units are not affordable and only generate one dwelling unit. The Province should dedicate Building Code research resources to more affordable housing solutions; and,
Amendments to Ministry of Infrastructure Act and Metrolinx Act
17. That Council support all opportunities for municipal data tracking across the Province, where data collection is automated through open data; and,
Proposed Changes to the Development Charges Act
18. That Council not support the proposed change to exempt long term care homes; if the Province proceeds to institute this change, the City will be amenable if the exemption applies only to non-profit developments; and,
19. That Council not support the payment of development charges at occupancy; if the Province proceeds to institute this change, the City would be amenable if interest is levied to the date of occupancy and security can be obtained for the outstanding amounts; and,
20. That Council support the changes to the application of the development charge rate freeze, where collection is based on the lower of the frozen development charge amount plus interest or, the amount calculated using the prevailing rate; and,
21. That Council support the streamlined process for selected development charge by-law amendments, which eliminates the requirement to prepare a Development Charges Background Study if the amendment is to reduce the development charge rates; and,
Proposed Development Charge changes through Regulation
22. That Council request the City be invited to participate in the discussions on the proposed regulatory changes, inclusive of those related to the determination of eligible capital costs which may focus on the inclusion/exclusion of land, and the methodology for determining benefit to existing; and,
23. That Council support the need for more development and streamlined processes, but not support any changes to the development charge regime that will move growth related costs away from developers and onto existing residents and businesses in any significant way; and,
Other Proposed Cost Recovery Changes
24. That Council request the City be invited to participate in discussions on the utilization of a proposed utility model to construct water and wastewater services; and further,
25. That staff be authorized and directed to do all the things necessary to give effect to this resolution.