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The province needs an average of 150,000 housing starts a year to meet the goal, and forecasts for the next three years fall short of that, topping out at an expected 85,900 in 2028. The supply shortage has sent home prices soaring and put housing out of reach for many people.ÌýÌý

“We’re cutting red tape and regulations,” said Ford, who was in Wasaga Beach to announce a $38 million investment to revitalize the Georgian Bay town as a tourist destination. “If you won’t support and create the environment and the conditions for companies to build, they just won’t build.”

Earlier this week, his government proposed legislation to fast-track housing, transit and road construction in an admission the Progressive Conservatives are losing ground and running short on time to keep their housing promise.

The bill from Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack would standardize development fees, stop municipalities from ordering further studies in relation to new developments and imposing construction requirements beyond the provincial building code, and expand the use of controversial minister’s zoning orders.Ìý

Flack blamed rapid population growth for the shortage and maintained “it takes too long and costs too much to build homes in Ontario.”

In the wake of Thursday’s $232.5 billion budgetÌý— with a whopping $14.6 billion deficitÌý— from Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, opposition parties said Ford, first elected in 2018, has failed on housing.

New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles, who has proposed creating a provincial agency to build affordable housing, said the government’s strategy “doubles down” on previous approaches to the problem that have not worked. ”

“I would say they’ve thrown in the towel,” Stiles said.

“For the young people who want affordable housing ... Doug Ford has failed,” said Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie.Ìý

Flack said the new rules in the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act were written with input from municipalities and development charges will be paid when a new home is occupied instead of upfront during the permitting process.

The Ontario Home Builders’ Association said the legislation helps by tackling two “significant drivers” of high housing costsÌý— development charges and delays in getting approvals and permits.

“Builders across Ontario have long advocated for action on these barriers,” the association said in a statement.

The $8.28 billion Greenbelt land swap scandal, under investigation by the RCMP, is the result of the government trying to free up land for new homes.Ìý