The Region of Durham is shaping up for a big year in 2023, both in terms of new development and new challenges.
We chatted with Regional Chair John Henry and Simon Gill, the region’s director of economic development and tourism, about issues to watch for in the year ahead. Bill 23 is expected to bring challenges, while growth, development and tourism will be good news stories for the region.
BILL 23
Municipalities across the province have raised concerns about this controversial legislation, which was passed on Nov. 28 and aims to spur development and see 1.5 million new homes built in 10 years.
Of concern to municipalities, however, is the loss of revenue from development fees and charges, as well as control over new builds. Bill 23 also weakens the voices of conservation authorities across the province, downloads planning responsibilities from the region to lower-tier municipalities and eliminates public input into some proposed developments.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario said the legislation “significantly” changes how municipal governments recover costs associated with growth.
A preliminary analysis from AMO suggests up to $1 billion in costs from private sector developers will be transferred to property tax payers.
In a statement issued in November prior to the approval of Bill 23, Henry said the legislation “has unintended consequences and widespread implications that impact all Ontarians economically, socially and environmentally.”
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In an interview after Bill 23 was passed, Henry continued to express concerns.
“I absolutely understand the need to build more homes, but building more is not going to get us to the affordable part,” he noted.
“When you use the logic of supply and demand, if everybody is trying to meet what the province is putting forth — there is only so much lumber, steel concrete and people, skilled people that build condos, houses and apartment buildings. The cost escalates and escalates and escalates.”
Henry is also concerned about how the legislation will impact Durham’s three northern municipalities, because the Region of Durham supplements planning, engineering, IT, legal and economic development work for them.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM
The coming years will be big ones on the economic development and tourism front in Durham, thanks to a new five-year plan that has just been unveiled.
The region’s “Ready Set Future: Five Year Economic Development and Tourism Strategy and Action Plan” includes 71 action areas with a focus on attracting talented workers, enhancing the 14 downtown areas in Durham, building Durham’s reputation for innovation and creating a more distinct identity for the region.
“It is a bold, transformational strategy that considered what kind of Durham Region we want 30 years in the future,” Gill said. “These are not small goals; we aspire to big things for Durham. But we believe they are achievable.”
A lot of work in 2023 will focus on kicking off the first year of goals in the strategy.
“We’ll be looking at the intersection of energy and automotive — electrification and automation of vehicles, especially. This is an economic area where Durham can excel, and where we can offer something amazing to these types of businesses in Canada and across the world,” Gill said.
Examples of action items in the plan include: addressing ongoing labour shortages in the agri-food sector; exploring options for a research and development park close to post-secondary institutions; hosting a Future Energy event in Durham for an international audience; creating expert “tactical teams” from Ontario Tech University, Trent University Durham GTA, and Durham College to support the region’s existing businesses with technological adoption and industrial research; refreshing Durham’s film sector strategy; and promoting Durham as a weekend destination for visitors from the GTA through a marketing plan focused on “urban excitement and country charm.”
While attracting visitors from outside the region will be a focus, Gill also said Durham is seeing major growth in local residents day-tripping within the community and embracing local businesses, attractions and events.
“We have seen an incredible uptick in pride in our local communities — this is one of the most in-demand regions to live, within the most in-demand country in the world. We are seeing that love of our community translate into fantastic support for locally-owned and operated businesses, and visiting vibrant local destinations.”
INVESTMENT AND BIG PROJECTS
Durham has several noteworthy projects underway or on the horizon. Henry is especially proud of the progress on Durham OneNet Inc., a wholly owned municipal services corporation that will design, build and operate a regional broadband network.
“Our first fibre is in the ground from Pickering to Uxbridge. Our rural municipalities struggle; the big players in that field really don’t want to take on those rural locations because it doesn’t meet their expectations of profitability,” Henry said. “I’m proud to say the first part of that infrastructure was installed on time and under budget.”
Gill said other recent investment examples include innovative baking company FGF Brands moving into Pickering’s Innovation Corridor along with the grand opening of Kubota’s new Canadian headquarters; new projects planned for Oshawa’s Northwood Business Park and Ontario Power Generation moving forward with plans to establish its headquarters in Durham, bringing over 2,000 jobs.
The bottom line?
“The booming growth that Durham Region has been seeing over the last number of years will continue,” Gill said. “There is a continuing strong demand for commercial and industrial investment into our communities, with a high volume from both international and domestic developers.”
