Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie has expressed her dissatisfaction with the Ford government’s decision to utilize controversial ministerial zoning orders, which have resulted in the doubling in size of a development project planned for the city’s Lakeview neighborhood.
The move has sparked criticism and debate regarding the housing crisis in Ontario.
The zoning order, signed by the province on Friday, allows a condo project on Mississauga’s waterfront to increase the number of units from 8,000 to 16,000.
However, Mayor Crombie argues that this expansion is not reasonable in terms of the area’s capacity and infrastructure, citing concerns about the lack of road networks, schools, police stations, and fire stations to support the influx of new residents.
While the mayor welcomes the promise of a new GO train station nearby, she emphasizes the need for comprehensive planning and infrastructure development.
Premier Doug Ford, who is addressing the housing supply issue across Ontario, has not clarified whether he intends to explore other parts of the Green Belt for construction purposes.
Last fall, there was controversy surrounding the removal of some land from the Green Belt.
Ford asserts that the government will not build on ponds, marshes, or wetlands, but he emphasizes the necessity of accommodating the anticipated increase in newcomers to the province.
Critics, including opposition parties, have raised concerns about the premier’s approach, characterizing him as a developer seeking to exploit land rather than safeguarding the interests of Ontarians.
The leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) finds Ford’s stance disturbing, particularly considering that there are already 88,000 acres of approved land for development in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The housing development in Mississauga will be a topic of discussion among councilors, who were slated to address the issue.
However, the mayor’s objections and the controversy surrounding the increased density of the project indicate that further deliberation and consideration of the city’s infrastructure are necessary to ensure responsible and sustainable development.
