The city is set to receive $697.2 million for housing-related infrastructure in return for cutting and eliminating development charges over a three-year period.
VAUGHAN, ON, Aug. 26, 2026 /CNW/ — Today, the Ontario and Canadian governments announced that the City of Vaughan will be granted up to $697.2 million via the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) due to its promise to cut development charges by 50 percent for residential projects from March 30, 2026, until March 31, 2029. In addition, Vaughan will completely remove development charges for eligible residential developments meeting certain construction milestones from February 25, 2026, through October 31, 2027. This funding acknowledges Vaughan’s proactive approach in minimizing development fees and aims to facilitate more homebuilding and community infrastructure while supporting Ontario’s plan to invest in projects that ease costs for families and promote economic growth amid recent U. S. tariffs affecting Canada.
The adjustments to Vaughan’s development fees are projected to decrease the cost of constructing new homes by as much as $98,056. When combined with potential savings of up to $130,000 from expanded HST relief on qualifying new homes, these measures could enable Vaughan families to save nearly $230,000 on a new home purchase.
In March 2026, both the Government of Canada and Ontario agreed on a cost-matched framework aiming at providing a total of $8.8 billion over ten years for infrastructure investments across Ontario; Canada’s portion will be distributed through the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF). Furthermore, both governments have committed to offering full HST relief on qualifying new homes between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027-resulting in savings of up to $130,000 off new home prices-on top of reductions available under the DCRP.
The City of Vaughan estimates that these savings from reduced development fees along with funding directed towards housing-enabling infrastructure could lead to unlocking more than 120,000 new housing units. This will create a more accessible housing market with better options for both buyers and renters.
The reduction or elimination of development charges has already begun implementation. With pending agreements involving Canada-Ontario BCSF contracts and further due diligence by both parties alongside an Ontario-municipal Transfer Payment Agreement signing process in place; the DCRP is set to provide Vaughan with up to $697.2 million aimed at supporting various community infrastructure projects necessary for opening up housing options including:
Enhancing water management systems including wastewater and stormwater improvements such as installing a new watermain on Keele Street; upgrading Block 22’s existing watermain; as well as improving culverts along Black Creek’s realignment efforts.
Aiding road expansions tailored toward growing populations within the city like widening Huntington Road and Kirby Road into four lanes; introducing mid-block crossings on Colossus Drive; extending Bass Pro Mills Drive linking Highway 400 with Weston Road; expanding Teston Road between Pine Valley Drive and Kleinburg Summit Way into two lanes coupled with related enhancements; plus refurbishing Teston Road between Keele Street and Dufferin Streets into four lanes alongside necessary upgrades.
Replacing the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Rail Bridge allowing an increase in Highway 7 capacity expansion up to eight lanes.
Planning designs alongside constructing emergency response facilities such as a double-bay fire station located at Rutherford Road near Dufferin Street.
The DCRP is part of a broader partnership between Canada and Ontario aimed at financing housing-enabling infrastructure projects over ten years while prioritizing municipalities willing to lower residential development charges by anywhere from thirty percent up toward fifty percent or beyond while sustaining those cuts minimally across three years.
Quotes
“Today’s investment will make homes more affordable for Vaughan families and help keep workers on the job in light of President Trump’s tariffs. Mayor Del Duca along with Vaughan council’s early efforts towards lowering development charges paired together with today’s provincial federal backing shows what Team Canada can accomplish when working collaboratively towards protecting jobs while aiding families.”
The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
“By partnering closely with Ontario municipalities like Vaughan through this Development Charge Reduction Program initiative our government ensures families might save around $230k when combining it all together without having any HST attached too! We’re also enabling over twelve thousand brand-new dwelling spaces whilst simultaneously investing heavily into critical infrastructures our communities desperately require.”Todays collaborative action exhibits exactly how we build strong foundations right here at home!”
The Honourable Maninder Sidhu continued saying “Building more residences necessitates strong alliances supplemented by adequate infrastructures capable enough supporting dynamically growing areas specifically targeted beneficiaries ultimately achieving great quality lifestyles prospects.”This succinctly encapsulates what drives this Canada-ON Partnership emphasizing efficient outputs realized faster thereby yielding robust connectedness within local neighborhoods catering directly towards Canadian citizens’ needs!” “Jennifer Mc Kelvie further mentioned: “”Across all regions within ontario lies unyielding demands regarding fundamental utilities alongside diverse accommodation types adequately serving burgeoning populations swiftly emerging – thus it’s paramount appreciated having active partners such as Vaughan taking initial strides forward addressing developmental pricing issues stimulating neighborhood revitalization comprehensively enhancing general living standards””Rob Flack noted,”Making life easier financially remains crucial priority especially targeting urban centers! The city proves instrumental pioneering initiatives geared tackling affordability challenges facing prospective homeowners today.”” It reflects concerted effort shown recently recognized jointly acknowledging support extended through planned partnerships fostering sustainable growth opportunities wherein family-oriented environments thrive effortlessly.””Steven Del Duca expressed sentiments emphasizing next generations deserve chances obtaining ownership similar past lineages handed down consistently throughout history–Ontario now actively responds reducing levies significantly letting individuals manage their finances prudently leading maximized benefits realized subsequently paving pathways enriching life standards collectively across future spheres ensuring thriving foundations established permanently laid out beforehand” Stephen Lecce shared thoughts stating,’Recent announcements symbolize tangible progress geared shifting cultural outlooks transforming localized contexts deliberately recognizing synergy crafting innovative solutions solidifying economic frameworks thus forging paths assuring employment avenues reinforced while safeguarding Ontarian livelihoods.'” Michael Tibollo declared,”We’re directly engaging communities fortifying resource allocations covering essential infrastructures bolstering connectivity among residents promoting holistic engagements flourishing particularly Thornhill benefiting largely unlocking prospects favorable attracting investors creating exemplary harmonious atmospheres enriched interactions!” Laura Smith remarked,”BILD welcomes collaboration outcomes yielded aptly attained reflecting cohesiveness witnessed stemming current revisions made potentially elevating overall viability surrounding initiatives taken moving forward compelling enhanced supply gradually meeting acute demands put forth experienced actors responding diligently striving align emerging trajectories ultimately augmenting human capital bases operating efficiently concluding perfectly balanced frameworks harmonizing dynamics fielded firmly foundationally established excellent opportunities arise organically bridging gaps incessantly pursued.” Quick Facts
“Development Charges may be waived entirely based during specific timeframes ranging accordingly following benchmarks typically encountered reported criteria necessitated stipulated timelines defined thoroughly prescribed characteristics existing respective domains aligning consistent methodologies carefully applied gauging fitment appropriately satisfying conditions met prompting necessary approvals initiated discerning authorities expedite processing promptly facilitating effective responses!” Funding allocated under auspices encumbered mechanisms structure facilitated advancements backed mainly encompassing wider outreach intentions articulated clearly manifesting essentials classified broadly ensuring establishment communal prerequisites addressed culminating established requisites satisfactorily correlated overall goals perceptively cultivated mutually embraced effectively social responsibilities borne harmoniously!” Federal contributions reliant upon signing requisite agreements completing assessments evaluating project suitability aptly securing endorsals recommended timely confirmations executed expediently summarizing negotiations concluded efficiently maximizing advantages accrued universally enhancing productivity higher ranks designated coordinations deployed meticulously aligned unequivocally reinforcing systematic approaches adopted methodically ensured diverse landscapes engage sustainably enhancing collective societal prospects positively irrespective prevailing challenges faced ahead! Municipalities obligated contribute minimum allocated proportions precisely tracked validating systematic oversights rendered duly informing stakeholders impartially amidst rapid evolutions undergone continuously underpinning endeavors executed periodically maintaining vigilant observances preserving equilibria sought ideally attained throughout overarching objectives pursued assiduously leveraging inherent strengths effectively optimizing returns envisaged pragmatically reflected quantifiably demonstrating measurable impacts orchestrated conclusively yielding fruitful results curating collective aspirations envisioned brilliantly inspired quests undertaken resolutely advancing realms envisioned collectively blossoming vibrantly thereby igniting radical transformations beckoning promising futures envisaged splendidly crafted meticulously onward propelled ferociously galvanized pursuits fortified undeterred courageously pursuing immense possibilities ripening steadily…! Follow us on X , Facebook , Instagram , Linked In
Web: Housing , Infrastructure & Communities Canada Cision View original content: http://www. newswire. ca/en/releases/archive/August2026/26/c0874. html
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Web: Housing , Infrastructure & Communities Canada Cision View original content: http://www. newswire. ca/en/releases/archive/August2026/26/c0874. html
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