Ontario Introducing Legislation to Improve Transit and Build More Homes

March 30, 2026

Proposed measures will help fight gridlock and reduce barriers to home building

Today, the Ontario government introduced the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act that would, if passed, protect Ontario’s economy and keep workers on the job by improving the way people and goods move across the province and speeding up the construction of new homes.

“The Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act is the latest step our government is taking to tackle red tape, reduce unnecessary costs, and streamline approvals,” said Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Along with our recent announcements to expand HST relief to all new-home buyers and recognize municipalities that cut their development charges, we’re making it easier for more people in Ontario to afford a home.”

The proposed legislation and accompanying measures would reduce gridlock and make public transit more convenient by simplifying fares, opening High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to more drivers and permitting rideshare services in communities along the Northlander corridor. The legislation would also help get more shovels in the ground on new housing projects by reducing barriers to homebuilding and clarifying and streamlining site plan rules.

“Our government is taking action to reduce gridlock and keep drivers moving across the province as we continue our work to protect Ontario,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The legislation we’re tabling today would improve transportation options in northern communities, support the future expansion of the One Fare program and make better use of existing highway capacity so people can spend less time in traffic.”

Building on the government’s work in the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 and the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act and related actions would:

  • Support the expansion of rideshare services in communities along the Northlander corridor so northern communities have improved access to first- and last-mile or end-to-end connection transportation options.
  • Allow single-occupant vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes during off-peak hours, giving drivers more choice.
  • Require on-road driving experience before prospective commercial drivers can obtain their Class A licence enhancing road safety.
  • Support efforts to eliminate red tape in the homebuilding process by simplifying planning and approval tools, including through municipal official plans, Ontario’s Building Code and site plan control:
    • Municipal Official Plans, which set out long-term land-use rules to guide future community growth, have become lengthy, complicated and highly restrictive, with varying formats, rules and content. Proposed changes include establishing a standardized table of contents and limiting land use designations so they are easier to navigate.
    • Over the years the Building Code has become overly complex and duplicative, with provisions that do not reflect the reality of building in Ontario. In response to this, the government is establishing an expert third-party advisory body consisting of engineering, construction, and code specialists to undertake a section-by-section review of the Code, which sets out the minimum standards that new construction must meet.
    • Some municipalities leverage site plan control to impose costly enhanced development standards that go beyond what is required for health and safety reasons. The proposed legislation would remove municipal authority to require enhanced development standards. The government will also consult on major structural reforms to site plan control more broadly to deliver faster, more predictable approvals.
  • Increase public transparency by consulting on the disclosure of municipal development charges and other hidden fees in agreements of purchase and sale for new homes.
  • Remove development charges from non-profit retirement homes to expand affordable housing options for seniors.
  • Expand housing opportunities in hard-to-service remote and/or rural areas by creating a framework to support the adoption of communal water and wastewater systems.
  • Reinforce that the new public corporation for water and wastewater in Peel Region (enabled through the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act) will remain in public sector ownership and promote continuity of service by clarifying rules and rights for agreements and employees that are transferred.

Collectively, the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act builds on the government’s ongoing work to accelerate housing and transportation infrastructure for the province’s long-term stability, resiliency and prosperity. The proposed legislation would get shovels in the ground faster and help get people where they need to go, enhancing affordability and quality of life for Ontario residents and families.

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