06/17/2026
Monday night, Council met for a special meeting to consider changes to development charges under the Provincal-Federal partnership.
I asked a number of questions about risks and assumptions because the stakes are significant. While the program is being presented as a way to support housing, the financial risks are, in my view, being transferred to municipalities. If the funding doesn't materialize as promised, local governments, and ultimately residents, will be left carrying the burden.
One of the issues raised during the discussion was that communities that opt out could find themselves at a serious disadvantage when future infrastructure funding decisions are made. That is not a minor concern.
In the end, Council supported participation, but not without reservations. A key factor in that decision was the assurance from our Commissioner of Financial Services that participation would not result in a tax increase for Whitby residents.
That said, municipal money (reserves) would still be spent and many questions remain. Municipalities across Ontario, including Whitby will continue to press for stronger guarantees that the funding will be predictable, sustainable, and sufficient to cover the infrastructure needed to support growing communities.
This is an issue that we must continue to watch closely. Growth should not come at the expense of the services, amenities, and infrastructure that residents rely on and it should not come on the backs of people who already live here.
