Mayor Del Duca welcomes record investment of $697.2 million in Vaughan’s housing future

Mayor Steven Del Duca issued the following statement today following the announcement of the Provincial and Federal Governments’ investment of $697.2 million for the City of Vaughan from the Canada-Ontario Development Charge Reduction Program:

“I applaud Premier Ford, Minister Rob Flack, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada for taking bold and creative action to address the housing crisis through the Canada-Ontario Development Charge Reduction Program, and thank them for recognizing Vaughan’s leadership in reducing development charges to help speed up the construction of new homes. This funding marks an important step toward a more collaborative approach to building the infrastructure needed to support responsible growth.

Making life affordable for Vaughan residents – both now and in the future – is a top priority for the City of Vaughan. We have been at the forefront of addressing housing affordability by taking decisive action to get more shovels in the ground and lower the costs that too often get passed on to homebuyers.

In September 2024, I tabled a Member’s Resolution directing staff to report back with options to address Vaughan’s development charge by-law. Since then, we have reduced development charges to zero for eligible projects until Oct. 31, 2027.

I am incredibly proud that other levels of government are acknowledging and following in our example to reduce development charges. Development charges have become an unfair tax burden on homebuyers. 

Vaughan is not standing still – we will continue taking bold action to accelerate housing construction, create better-paying construction jobs and make homeownership more attainable for residents and young families so they can live and thrive here for generations to come.”

QUICK FACTS 

• The City of Vaughan is receiving up to $697.2 million through the Development Charge Reduction Program from the governments of Ontario and Canada in recognition of its commitment to reduce development charges by 50 per cent for residential developments from March 30, 2026, to March 31, 2029, and to reduce development charges to zero for qualifying residential developments from Feb. 25, 2026, to Oct. 31, 2027. 
• At the April 28, 2026 Council meeting, Vaughan Council ratified a policy, with recommendations from a staff report (PDF), to enable the City to temporarily reduce development charges on residential developments to zero. The exemption is in effect from Feb. 25, 2026, to Oct. 31, 2027.
• Development charges are fees charged by a municipality to developers to help fund the infrastructure required to support growth. 
• On Nov. 19, 2024, Vaughan Council approved a policy with reductions to the City’s development charges, through the use of agreements, which were among the highest in the Greater Toronto Area, following a Member’s Resolution (PDF) from Mayor Del Duca to address the housing crisis in Ontario.
• The City’s development charge rate available for low-rise residential is $50,193. Before the City’s reduction of development charges on Nov. 19, 2024, the City’s published development charge rate for low-rise residential was $94,466. 

LEARN MORE 

• Vaughan reduces development charges to zero to accelerate housing construction news release – April 28, 2026
• Mayor Del Duca’s Member’s Resolution: Making Housing More Affordable in Vaughan (PDF) – Sept. 17, 2024
• Staff report: Development Charges Reduction Options – Response to Member’s Resolution (PDF) – Nov. 12, 2024
• Staff communication: C33 - Development Charges Reduction Options – Response to Member’s Resolution (PDF) – Nov. 19, 2024
• City of Vaughan’s Development Charges By-law (PDF)
• Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act
• Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025
• Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund
• Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
• Ontario Builds: our infrastructure plan