Ontario Construction Report staff writer
PICKERING – New housing legislation and infrastructure funding dominated discussions as Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) gathered in Pickering last week for their annual general meeting and conference.
Hosted by Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe, the two-day event brought together mayors from the province’s largest municipalities alongside provincial ministers, federal housing representatives and municipal leaders to address shared priorities and identify collaborative solutions.
Among the key topics was early municipal input into upcoming provincial initiatives, including the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build program. Mayors also pressed for movement on outstanding municipal issues such as Bill 9, proposed Municipal Code of Conduct legislation that has yet to reach third reading.
Provincial representation at the conference included Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack, Finance Minister and Pickering MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy and Associate Attorney General Michael Tibollo.
A consistent message from all levels of government centred on the need for stronger collaboration to accelerate housing construction while ensuring policies reflect the needs of individual communities.
OBCM members said discussions with the province focused in part on the structure of the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build program. Mayors called on both provincial and federal governments to fully offset municipal revenue losses tied to reduced development charges and to ensure resulting savings are passed on to homebuyers.
The conference also featured a presentation from Ana Bailão, CEO of Build Canada Homes, who outlined details of the federal housing initiative and highlighted opportunities for municipalities to speed up delivery of affordable and supportive housing. Bailão also provided updates on projects underway across the country.
Representing municipalities that account for about 70 per cent of Ontario’s population and nearly 30 per cent of Canada’s population, OBCM members said they are committed to working with federal and provincial partners to expand housing supply.
“We are encouraged by the commitment from provincial and federal governments to accelerate housing construction and invest in the infrastructure needed to support growing communities,” said Marianne Meed Ward, OBCM chair and mayor of Burlington.
“Municipalities are on the front lines delivering essential services — from water and wastewater to roads, policing and community spaces — funded largely through the property tax base. It is critical that we are included as full partners in designing programs that fund housing-enabling infrastructure, so residents receive the services they need.”
OBCM is a non-partisan organization representing 29 single- and lower-tier cities with populations of more than 100,000. The group advocates on behalf of Ontario’s largest municipalities on key policy and funding issues.