Ottawa Criticizes Toronto’s Sixplex Plan as ‘Disappointing’ Housing Step

Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson says he’s unhappy with Toronto’s move to limit sixplexes, and that the policy falls short of the housing commitment he expects from Canada’s most-populous city.

 

But in an interview with The Globe and Mail, the former Vancouver mayor declined to get into specifics about how his department will respond to Toronto’s action beyond saying talks are under way on the issue.

 

“The decision on sixplexes is disappointing and not in line with the ambition that we expect from Toronto,” Mr. Robertson said on Wednesday.

 

“My focus is working with partners at every level of government and using every tool we have available to tackle the housing crisis, and we need to see that from our biggest city.”

 

Mr. Robertson declined to say whether he would follow the policy of former housing minister, Nate Erskine-Smith, who warned Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow that any deviation from a citywide policy permitting such buildings would result in 25 per cent less federal funding.

 

That would have meant about $30-million of $118-million that Ottawa has pledged annually to Toronto from its Housing Accelerator Fund, a multibillion-dollar program announced in the 2021 election by the Liberals under Justin Trudeau that’s intended to create a greater supply of affordable housing.

 

“I won’t share details,” Mr. Robertson said on the question of a punitive response against Toronto.

 

“We have some time before a decision has to be made regarding funding. That’s the rest of the year to find solutions on this, but it’s certainly disappointing.”

In late June, Toronto City Council passed a motion allowing property owners in nine of the city’s 25 wards to build up to six units on one lot without additional permission. The initial plan to allow sixplexes citywide was amended because of fears that it did not have majority support and would be shot down.

 

The sixplex policy was one of eight “milestones” in an agreement between Toronto and the federal government that promised the city $471-million over four years.

 

Ms. Chow had told a recent meeting with the editorial board of The Globe and Mail that, as a former mayor, Mr. Robertson understands the challenges raised by municipal politics.

 

But Mr. Robertson was sharply critical of Toronto’s move.

 

He said there is a lot of misinformation about sixplexes or fourplexes that ignores the reality that neighborhoods already have multiunit homes that fit into their fabric.

 

“I think that this decision got made without the clarity that this is the gentle density we need in single family home neighbourhoods,” he said.

 

He said there are many big homes with multiple units that would not be easily identified as sixplex units.

 

The minister said fourplexes and sixplexes are becoming the norm in cities all over the world.

 

He also noted that the the federal government has signed more than 240 agreements through its housing fund.

 

“We must see that leadership in Toronto. We’re seeing it across the country in hundreds of other communities.”

 

In response to Mr. Robertson, Ms. Chow’s press secretary said the mayor has taken an energetic approach to dealing with housing.

 

A statement issued by Zeus Eden said Ms. Chow has been a champion for middle and affordable housing by supporting such housing options as fourplexes, under certain conditions, laneway and garden suites and mid-rise apartment buildings on major avenues.

 

“We are working closely with Minister Gregor and city councillors to advance ambitious housing policy,” he said.

 

 

 

 

This article was first reported by The Globe and Mail