Provincial government sets up process for developers to finance growth infrastructure
Posted August 18, 2025
Less than three months after the provincial government stopped New Tecumseth's growth plan from moving forward, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs has put forward its own proposal "seeking input on the development of a comprehensive regional strategy to address expected population pressures, while exploring the delivery of housing and economic options in south Simcoe County."
The end run around local planning approvals was posted on the government's Environmental Registry August 12, with a deadline of September 26 for comments from the development community and the public.
"Through this proposal the province is supporting development of a comprehensive strategy to help the community meet its needs for land, housing, water, and wastewater capacity. This strategy would also aim to account for the costs of critical infrastructure while continuing to attract employment opportunities from various sectors," according to the registry post.
"The province’s Provincial Land and Development Facilitator has been directed by the Minister to explore how additional lands may be considered for future growth and how through a public-private partnership a portion of the costs for the community’s water and wastewater infrastructure investments and broader community benefits could be funded."
It's expected the same consortium of developers who have interest in New Tecumseth will be involved in the government's process.
The group, which collectively calls itself the Harvest Community - Mattamy, FLATO, Lakeview Homes, Solmar to name a few - made an unsuccessful pitch to New Tecumseth council in February 2022 which could have front-ended approximately $400 million to finance infrastructure required to accommodate over 15,000 new housing units between Alliston and Beeton. The collective owns approximately 2,000 acres. But the Harvest group's lands were not included in the updated New Tecumseth plan. That decision will now rest with the province.
"Municipalities across the region are facing mounting challenges related to land supply, infrastructure capacity, and the need to provide public services and amenities at a pace that matches need. These growth pressures are especially pronounced in communities like those in south Simcoe, where strategic provincial investments and private-sector projects are accelerating the need for coordinated planning, servicing, and housing delivery.
Honda’s Alliston operations, as well as future potential investments in the area, are important to Canada’s and Ontario’s long-term automotive and manufacturing industry, especially in the current economic environment."
