Canadian municipalities push back against 'gatekeeper' label
Canadian municipal leaders are pushing back against the portrayal of cities as “gatekeepers” hindering housing development, emphasizing their role as community builders.
Scott Pearce, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, made these remarks during a news conference in Ottawa, urging the federal government to allocate more funds for infrastructure projects, especially in housing.
The debate centres on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s assertions that cities impede housing construction through red tape and high fees. Pearce countered this narrative, stating, “Canadian mayors are not gatekeepers. We’re community builders.” He emphasized that developers, not mayors, are responsible for building houses, highlighting challenges such as fluctuating interest rates that affect housing market dynamics.
Poilievre’s housing plan, a cornerstone of his campaign, targets affordability issues and criticizes perceived obstacles to housing development in cities. He advocates for stricter measures to compel municipalities to accelerate home construction, linking federal funding to housing project quotas.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has emphasized the need for increased infrastructure spending regardless of the ruling federal party. Halifax Mayor Mike Savage, chair of the Big Cities Mayors’ Caucus, reiterated the importance of collaboration with all political parties to address housing challenges effectively.
In response, a spokesperson for Poilievre affirmed the Conservative stance, promising incentives for proactive housing initiatives and consequences for perceived obstructionism. The discourse underscores the urgency of addressing Canada’s housing crisis, with projections indicating the need for 5.8 million new homes by 2030 to restore affordability.
Debate over proposals to boost housing market
Municipalities emphasize the financial strain of infrastructure requirements for housing projects, estimating an average of $107,000 per new home. Pearce likened the intergovernmental disputes over funding to parental conflict, stressing the immediate need for cohesive action to support local communities.
Housing minister Sean Fraser’s office outlined existing infrastructure investments in a statement to The Canadian Press but acknowledged the need for comprehensive solutions. The Canada Infrastructure Bank explores avenues to support housing-related infrastructure projects.
Poilievre’s proposal to withhold federal funding from cities failing to meet housing construction targets has sparked debate. While some municipalities express willingness to meet or exceed targets, others critique the feasibility and fairness of such mandates.
The Liberal government’s housing accelerator fund offers financial incentives for municipalities implementing housing-friendly policies. Poilievre, however, criticizes the fund, alleging it reinforces existing bureaucratic hurdles.
Tensions escalated as Poilievre singled out mayors and municipalities for alleged hindrances to housing development. Quebec’s mayors rebuke Poilievre’s accusations, citing misinformation and asserting their commitment to housing initiatives.
Earlier this month, Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas commented against Poilievre following accusations the Quebec municipality of obstructing a housing project. “There are some facts [Poilievre] may not be aware of,” he said in a Facebook post in defence of the municipality.
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