Bonnie Crombie overrides Mississauga's decision on fourplexes after federal funding axed
Bonnie Crombie has used her strong mayor powers to reverse a Mississauga council decision that would prevent four-unit homes, otherwise known as fourplexes, from being built within city limits after the federal government withdrew infrastructure funding.
The mayor, who has taken a leave to run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, issued the directive on Friday morning.
“Given the scale and urgency of the housing crisis, it is critical that leadership at all levels of government work together,” Crombie said in a statement.
“Issuing this directive will ensure that Mississauga continues to be eligible for $120 million in important federal funding for housing and community infrastructure while allowing for much-needed housing to be built in our neighbourhoods for the next generation.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Last week, Mississauga City Council voted against a proposal that would have allowed fourplexes to be built “as a right” and instead referred the idea back to staff for further consideration.
This was one of the recommendations made by Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser in early October that would have improved Mississauga’s application for funding under the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund.
The motion was rejected in a 5-5 tie vote. Crombie, while on leave, was unable to cast her ballot.
The decision faced immediate criticism from Fraser, who said the city should be “getting rid of antiquated approaches to zoning.”
In response, Fraser sent council a letter on Thursday saying that without a firm commitment on fourplexes, the minister would not approve the city’s application for funding.
“This means Mississauga will not receive the $120 million in funding for vital infrastructure and housing it applied for,” Crombie’s directive states.
“Given the scale of the housing crisis and the need act with urgency to secure this much-needed funding, I therefore intend to move a motion using my Strong Mayor Powers under s.284.11.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, upon my return to Council meetings in Fall, 2023, to enact an official plan amendment and zoning by-law amendment to permit four-unit housing in Mississauga as permitted by the statutory requirements of the Planning Act.”
A motion proposed using strong mayor powers can only be overturned with a vote of two-thirds of council.
Speaking to reporters Friday morning, Fraser said that he has spoken with Crombie and needs to review the details.
“We have told them based on the information that we were aware of as recently as yesterday that we are not in a position to approve their application,” Fraser said.
"The door's not closed, but we're not yet in a position to say yes."
Toronto City Council voted in favour of a similar motion to allow fourplex housing city-wide in May.
Crombie has said she will be returning to council in November to oversee Mississauga’s budget process.
Correction
A previous version of this story included the incorrect amount of federal housing funding that Mississauga was eligible to receive.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
As Liberal leadership wrangling persists, Poilievre says 'not fair' to oust Trudeau now
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre thinks it would be 'not fair' for the Liberals to oust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau now, as in his view they are 'morally obligated' to keep him.
'I'm ready for an election': Bloc beginning talks to topple Trudeau gov't as ultimatum expires
Bloc Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet is starting to talk to other opposition parties about bringing down Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government.
An expert stands firm on his U.S. election win prediction. Here's what he says happened after
An American presidential historian is maintaining his previous prediction of a Kamala Harris presidency as the U.S. election hits the one-week mark.
Senior Modi cabinet minister linked to India-supported violence in Canada: officials
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison has confirmed a report that Canada is alleging an Indian cabinet minister and close adviser to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered intelligence-gathering operations of Canadians.
Missing B.C. teenager Jodi Henrickson at centre of upcoming documentary
Henrickson was a 17-year-old girl from Squamish who went missing after a house party on Bowen Island, during the then unusually warm summer of 2009.
'Speaks to a wider problem': N.S. politicians condemn group that wore KKK costumes to Halloween dance
Nova Scotians – including the province’s top politicians – are continuing to express outrage after four people showed up at a Halloween dance dressed in Ku Klux Klan costumes.
Ontario to provide taxpayers with $200 rebate
The Ontario government will give each taxpayer a $200 rebate. Premier Doug Ford made the announcement Tuesday and said the rebate will also extend to families with children, with an additional $200 per eligible child.
CNN bans conservative commentator who made a racist 'joke' on air
CNN says a right-wing commentator will not be welcomed back on air after he made a racist remark on “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip.”
'Elaborate encampment' with solar panels and mini-power grid dismantled by Edmonton police
Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has dismantled one of the ‘most elaborate encampments’ officers have ever seen.