Kingston city council unanimously votes to oppose Bill 23

Kingston city council has formally stated its opposition to the province's recently passed 'More Homes Built Faster Act,' also known as Bill 23.

Kingston’s city council voted unanimously on a motion to formally oppose the Ontario government’s Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, at Tuesday’s meeting.

“Maybe it’s something that could hopefully help with some change,” says newly elected city Coun. Vincent Cinanni. “At least at the regulation levels.”

Bill 23 was approved as part of the Ford government’s aim to build 1.5 million homes across Ontario in the next decade. Here in Kingston, Ont., the province would like to see 8,000 new builds.

The motion opposing Ford’s bill was moved by Cinanni and seconded by Coun. Brandon Tozzo. Both attended a protest against Bill 23 in front of City Hall last month.

Cinanni said at Tuesday’s meeting that the motion looks to add Kingston’s voice to that of other municipalities against the provincial bill.

When presented in the horseshoe, many councillors shared their words of support to the motion and against the More Homes Built Faster Act.

“Often a lot of these things seem rushed and there’s a lack of consultation,” Coun. Ryan Boehme said. “This is probably a good example of where there’s an intent, but the end effect is not necessarily going to be what the intent was at the start. It will actually cause other issues, which would essentially become a bigger burden on our tax base to make up those shortfalls.”

Coun. Conny Glenn acknowledged the need for housing in the region, but said that slowing the process down is critical to prevent the development of another crisis.