Should Ontario Pause Affordable Housing Requirements in Toronto, Mississauga, and Kitchener?

Official title: Proposed amendment to Ontario Regulation 232/18 - Inclusionary Zoning to pause implementation in three municipalities until July 1, 2027

Open Regulations & Permits Economy & Jobs Housing & Communities
Ontario wants to pause inclusionary zoning rules in Toronto, Mississauga, and Kitchener until July 2027. Right now, these rules require developers to include affordable units in new buildings near transit stations. The government says the pause would prevent projects from stalling during tough economic times.

Why This Matters

Looking for an affordable apartment in the GTA or Kitchener? This decision affects how many get built. Developers say current rules make projects too expensive to start. But pausing them means fewer affordable units in new buildings near transit. If you're priced out of these cities, this one matters.

What Could Change

Any development application submitted before July 1, 2027 would be exempt from affordable housing requirements in these three cities. That means new condo towers near subway stations won't need to include below-market units. The government hopes this will get more projects started—but it also means fewer guaranteed affordable homes.

Key Issues

  • Should affordable housing requirements be paused to encourage more development?
  • Is the current housing market too strained for inclusionary zoning to work?
  • Should the pause apply equally to all three cities?

How to Participate

  1. Read the proposal summary above to understand what's being changed and why.
  2. Submit your feedback through the Ontario Regulatory Registry comment form by the deadline.

Submit Your Input

Comment On Inclusionary Zoning Pause