Eliminating municipal development charges could make more Toronto projects financially viable, with analysis estimating housing starts could ↑~10% under full fee removal.
A 50% charge cut would create a smaller, proportional lift, still improving construction viability when project budgets face high-cost pressure in Toronto.
Development charges are mandatory municipal fees on new construction, typically funding infrastructure and services needed around growing Toronto housing projects and citywide needs.
Builders have long argued these fees often flow through to buyers and renters, adding tens of thousands to new-home costs in Toronto.
The key takeaway for Toronto: fee relief could unlock projects that currently struggle financially, supporting more construction where new housing is costly.