A survey result being circulated to municipal councils says over 80 per cent of respondents are opposed to the Doug Ford government’s Bill-23 (the More Homes Built Faster Act) and want it repealed.
SPR Associated Inc, a Toronto based company that does surveys, evaluations and management consulting for the public and private sectors shared its analysis of over 6,400 responses to an online survey about the bill.
Its results were sent to Saugeen Shores committee of the whole for information.
SPR notes, the population survey revealed not all Ontarians are aware of Bill 23 and the issue some take with changes to the Greenbelt. Less than half of those invited to the survey were informed enough that they felt they could provide assessments of Bill23.
SPR says the survey asked about three issues; whether an ethics investigation was required, whether Bill 23 and related measures would be likely to increase the supply of affordable housing, and whether Bill 23 should be repealed.
SPR told council, “The results show widespread opposition in Ontario to the Government’s Bill 23 and measures affecting the Greenbelt and affordable housing.”
According to SPR, “four out of five Ontarians surveyed (81%) called for the repeal of Bill 23 and for an ethics review on the Government’s handling of these measures.”
They also say 79% of those surveyed believe the government’s measures will have no impact on the affordable housing issue.
SPR says survey responses came from a random sample of 400 Ontarians, and a larger survey of about 6,000 stakeholders which included environment groups, planning bodies, housing organizations, farming bodies and residents’ associations among others. SPR says key stakeholder groups shared common concerns.
The company told council, the research was conducted in the period between December 2022 and March 2023. They say it was not funded by government or other sources and note dozens of non-government organizations and community organizations from across the province took the survey.