Renfrew County’s Warden has continued his push for a regional housing plan, this time at Queen’s Park.
Peter Emon led the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus to meet with provincial officials in late November to talk about the 7-in-7 plan, which will build 21,000 market-rate homes and another 7,000 affordable units across Eastern Ontario, including in Renfrew County.
Emon and EOWC Vice-Chair Bonnie Clark had the opportunity to speak with Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Graydon Smith, Associate Minister of Housing Rob Flack, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Matthew Rae, during a visit to the provincial parliament on November 23rd.
They also took part in the Ontario Housing Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, aimed at strengthening collaborations across the sector and informing the province’s next Housing Supply Action Plan.
The Caucus says their plan supports the Ontario government’s goal to build 1.5 million homes by 2031 and points to an ongoing project from the Frontenac Municipal Services Corporation as an “ideal, scalable pilot for rural housing.”
The EOWC says that they’re ready to work with the Ontario government to improve the housing supply, and Emon notes that success within the housing plan means the government working together to make it happen.
The 7-in-7 Regional Housing Plan is expected to be a major talking point for provincial and municipal officials at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference coming up in January.
(written by Kasey Egan)
