Ontario Construction News staff writer
Queen’s Park is providing funds to 42 small and rural communities to modernize service delivery processes, including finding ways to speed up the approval of new housing and commercial developments.
Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, on Monday announced the funding of up to $3.9 million to assist the communities in this endeavour.
“Our government is thrilled to invest in so many local projects focussed on making it faster and easier to build new housing and help attract and grow businesses,” said Minister Clark. “We’re going to keep working in partnership with municipalities to help them improve processes to focus on the vital programs and services Ontarians rely on.”
The money is coming from the Municipal Modernization Program, and will support a range of projects, including:
- Helping municipalities streamline their local development approval processes and modernize permitting systems. For example, the Town of Aurora will review the process people must follow when applying for land use planning approvals with a goal of improving timelines and finding savings for residents, businesses and the town.
Up to $125 million is available until 2022-23 through the Municipal Modernization Program.
Quick Facts:
- More than 300 projects were submitted under the first intake of the Municipal Modernization Program, and proposals continue to be reviewed
- Ontario is already providing up to $2.6 million for 27 joint projects that will help approximately 130 small and rural municipalities improve services for residents and businesses and lower costs in the longer term.