TRREB is urging Peel Regional Council to consider reducing its share of residential development charges (DCs) by 50 per cent and defer collecting payment to occupancy. Deferral to occupancy aligns with the recent passing of Bill 17, Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025, which is now in effect, while the DC rate cut would support a potential upcoming federal requirement criteria for the next round of the Housing Accelerator Fund applications.
Peel Region has some of the highest development charges in Ontario, acting as a barrier to building the homes that residents need. Other Ontario regional and municipal governments are moving towards lowering these charges. The cities of Mississauga, Vaughan and Burlington have already reduced their portion of municipal residential development charges to spur housing development. Additionally, York Region Committee of the Whole passed a recent motion endorsing development charge deferrals and a proposed first-time homebuyer equivalent rebate on homes up to $1.5 million that, if passed by Council, will reduce upfront costs for developers and accelerate housing construction. These measures will significantly benefit buyers, renters, young families and individuals seeking stable, affordable housing alternatives, enabling faster construction of diverse housing options, including affordable condominiums and purpose-built rentals.