Housing Submissions, CMHC Housing Accelerator Fund Webinar & Policing Legislation
New Submissions in Response to Bill 97
On May 20, AMO submitted comments in response to the latest ERO Postings around Bill 97. The comments discussed "renovictions", own-use evictions, the potential for a balanced framework for rental replacement by-laws, and the importance of additional tenant protections and landlord rights.
As well, AMO and ROMA jointly expressed appreciation for the province’s proposed change to site plan control as it responded to municipal feedback. The province was encouraged to file this regulation soon to provide much needed clarity to all stakeholders, including municipal governments.
AMO is in the process of drafting a response to the Provincial Planning Statement consultation and will share comments with members once submitted.
Register for May 31 Webinar on Housing Accelerator Fund
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has announced it will hold a national webinar on May 31 from 3pm-4pm EST to help municipalities prepare applications to the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). Sign up for the webinar to hear more about creating an action plan, get helpful tools and resources and answers to frequently asked questions.
A recording is also available from a session hosted earlier this year. AMO is working with CMHC to create an Ontario-specific webinar on June 7 from 10am-11:30am. Please hold this time, more information on how to register will be available soon.
Municipalities that intend to apply to HAF are highly encouraged to start their action plan now as there is a short application window once the client portal opens for application intake (anticipated this summer).
To assist, CMHC has created a number of resources that include: a Pre-Application Reference Guide, Housing Needs Assessment Resource Sheet, Program Highlight Sheet, and a Step-by-step Guide with Housing Supply Growth Target Calculator. CMHC can be reached at 1-800-668-2642 or by email at contactcentre@cmhc.ca for any questions you have during the preparation of your application.
AMO Submission in Response to Bill 102
AMO recently submitted comments to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy for Bill 102, Strengthening Safety and Modernizing Justice Act, 2023. AMO has played an active role in efforts to modernize policing, so that all Ontario communities can continue to provide police services, along with all other public programs and services that keep people safe and healthy. The comments welcomed efforts to continue to address challenges with both attracting and retaining police officers but also highlighted some concerns around proposed changes to arbitration costs in the event of a dispute on a police budget.
