Spring, 2000 Edition

SHADES OF BOB RAE!!

A private NDP Members' Bill was introduced to the Ontario Legislature as Bill No. 30 on December 16, 1999 by way of an amendment to the Municipal Act. This bill is in response to the recent Ontario Municipal Board decision involving Goldlist's attempt to demolish and redevelop existing apartment buildings in mid-town Toronto. The current official plan amendment of the City of Toronto which would prevent demolition of rental housing stock without replacement of similar affordable rental housing was struck down (the decision is under appeal).

Bill 30 is intended to give the Council of a municipality having a population of 25,000 persons or more the right to prohibit demolition of rental properties unless one of the following conditions is met:

(1) Council is satisfied that the rents were considered to be not in the "affordable" rental category for the year before the proposed demolition;
(2) All or part of the rental property is structurally unsound;
(3) Replacement rental property will be constructed with a similar number of rental units as well as a similar type, size and level of affordability; or

(4) Council is of the opinion that the demolition will not adversely affect the supply of affordable housing.

However, it is unusual for an opposition member's bill to garner majority support and hopefully it will die a natural death. We will follow its progress, if any, closely.

For the complete article view the document below.