We can build more homes to end Ontario’s housing shortage. But only if we change where and what kinds of homes (think fourplexes and midrise) inside existing residential neighbourhoods. That’s the key to building more homes faster and for lower costs. It’s also better for our health and environment- it reduces car dependency, protects farmland, and strengthens local food security. It creates walkable, connected communities with easy access to services, while saving taxpayers money by using existing infrastructure.

Pickering has a housing shortage because its zoning and Official Plan, like those in many municipalities, have made it difficult to build the kinds of homes that keep up with our growing housing needs in the current economy: family sized homes inside existing residential neighbourhoods, close to work, school, friends and family. Instead, current laws restrict most construction to two extremes- tiny high rise condos too small for families or expensive suburban houses outside the places where we spend time. While the provincial government bears a lot of the blame, neighbours like Toronto (More Homes Faster Score 324.5/500) and Hamilton have recently shown us there’s a great deal cities and towns can do to fix things.

Send a letter to current members of Pickering City Council and the Mayor, registered candidates for Pickering City Council and Mayor, Ajax MPP Rob Cerjanec, Oshawa MPP Jennifer French as well as Liberal leadership candidates Navdeep Bains, Eric Lombardi and Dyland Marando asking them to legalize midrise.