One topic that’s been circulating in our industry is the impact of development fees on new home affordability—especially here in the GTA. Recent findings from a national housing agency suggest that reducing these fees could make roughly 14% more residential projects viable across Canada. For Toronto and Vancouver, the upside is even greater: cutting these charges could boost viable projects by about 10%, with Toronto potentially meeting half its targeted supply just by adjusting fees.
As someone who works closely with buyers and sellers in Mississauga, Oakville, and the surrounding areas, I see firsthand how these costs factor into a family’s decision-making. For context, Calgary’s fees for a one-bedroom high-rise start at around $4,000, while detached homes are closer to $9,000—significantly less than Vancouver’s $20,000–$33,000. Of course, these fees help fund necessary infrastructure, so finding the right balance is key. But lowering fees for family-sized homes could help make new builds more competitive, especially in markets where larger units are often priced above comparable resale properties. It’s a conversation worth following as our communities continue to grow and evolve.
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