Ontario’s Bill 60 Becomes Law: A Complete Breakdown of the Province’s Major Overhaul to Housing, Transport, and Tenant Rules
Ontario has officially passed Bill 60, known as the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, marking one of the most significant legislative reshaping efforts in recent years. After clearing its third reading in the Legislative Assembly on November 24, 2025, the bill is set to receive Royal Assent and transform a wide span of provincial systems.
The law modifies 15 existing statutes and introduces a brand-new Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025, giving the province expanded authority over planning, housing, transit, municipal infrastructure, and the landlord-tenant system.
This comprehensive explainer outlines what Bill 60 changes, who it affects, and when different sections take effect.
Why the Ontario Government Pushed Bill 60
In its preamble, the government states that the purpose of Bill 60 is to combat long-standing delays in:
- Housing construction and approvals
- Transit and infrastructure delivery
- Movement of people and goods
- Landlord and Tenant Board decision-making
- Driver’s licensing processes
- Municipal service coordination
The province argues that outdated regulations, slow planning processes, and tribunal backlogs are obstructing development and infrastructure expansion. Bill 60 is positioned as a multi-sector solution to these long-standing issues.
Overview of the Major Changes Introduced in Bill 60
Bill 60 is divided into 16 schedules, each reshaping a different area of law. Together, they impact:
- Housing and zoning approvals
- Provincial and municipal transit development
- Development charges and municipal services
- Driver’s licensing and Ontario photo cards
- Landlord-tenant rules, eviction procedures, and LTB operations
- Water services governance, including a new corporate model
- Rules for lane reductions and bike lane planning
- Local roads, towing, and technical infrastructure regulations
- Regional restructuring, including utilities in Peel Region
How Bill 60 Accelerates Housing and Infrastructure
1. Expanded Provincial Powers for Transit and Municipal Service Access
Bill 60 strengthens the province’s ability to plan, build, operate, and maintain major transit projects by:
- Allowing the province to intervene earlier and more broadly in nearby properties
- Reducing notice periods from 30 to 15 days before acting on certain infrastructure changes
- Giving Metrolinx more authority to adjust or relocate municipal infrastructure
- Allowing provincial access to sewage systems, bridges, hydrants, and life-safety systems for transit needs
These changes are aimed at reducing construction delays and operational bottlenecks around major transit corridors.
2. New Framework for Development Charges
Municipal development charges undergo significant restructuring:
- A new “land acquisition class” is created for greater transparency
- Municipalities must provide studies, by-laws, and background documentation upon request
- Rules for reserve fund spending are clarified
- Municipalities must create official “local service policies” clarifying which infrastructure costs are developer-funded
Builders and municipalities will need to adjust budgeting and cost-sharing models under the new rules.
3. Planning Act Amendments: More Provincial Control
Bill 60 introduces several major changes to land-use planning:
- Ministerial decisions (excluding Greenbelt matters) are no longer required to align with provincial policy statements
- New flexibility to reduce minimum zoning standards or increase maximums without full amendments
- Expanded dispute resolution powers for the Minister, including routing major issues to the Ontario Land Tribunal
- Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) must now be published on a government website
These measures collectively increase the province’s authority in planning decisions.
4. Transit Station Charges Shifted to Occupancy Stage
Residential developers will now pay transit station charges when residents move in rather than earlier in the construction cycle. Municipalities may request guarantees for these payments.
Impact of Bill 60 on Tenants and Landlords
Schedule 12 has generated the most public debate, with tenant advocates raising concerns about increased eviction risks.
1. Changes to Eviction Notices
- All notices must use updated forms approved by the Landlord and Tenant Board
- Provides flexibility for the government to prescribe mandatory forms by regulation
2. New Exemptions for Compensation Requirements
In some cases of “landlord’s own use,” landlords will no longer be required to compensate tenants or offer another unit if:
- The notice is given after the schedule takes effect
- The termination date is at least 120 days after notice
- The termination date aligns with the end of the rental period or lease
3. Non-Payment of Rent: Earlier Termination and Undefined ‘Persistent Late Payment’
- Termination for non-payment can now take effect as early as seven days after notice
- What counts as “persistent late payment” will be defined later by regulation, giving Cabinet flexibility to adjust eviction criteria
4. Tenants Must Pay Half of Arrears Before Raising Their Own Complaints
A major shift requires tenants to:
- Pay 50 percent of alleged arrears
- Meet new notice requirements
…before introducing repair issues or other counterclaims at a non-payment hearing.
Tenant groups warn this will disadvantage low-income tenants.
5. Reduced Discretion for the Landlord and Tenant Board
- The LTB’s ability to set aside eviction orders is restricted
- Discretionary power to delay evictions is now subject to new conditions
- Review requests must be filed within 15 days except in rare exceptions
Effects on Drivers, Photo Cards, and Roadway Design
1. Legal Residency and Immigration Status Checks for Licenses
Applicants for certain classes of driver’s licenses and Ontario photo cards must provide proof of:
- Ontario residency
- Legal presence in Canada
- Work authorization (for specific license types)
2. Provincial Control Over Lane Reductions
Municipalities cannot reduce motor vehicle lanes for purposes such as bike lanes unless permitted under provincial regulations.
Projects already underway before the effective date may continue.
3. Limited Reimbursement for Bike Lane Removals
The Minister may reimburse administrative costs related to bike lane reconfiguration but is not required to cover installation costs.
Water, Sewage, and New Governance Structures
1. New Water and Wastewater Public Corporations
The new Act allows the province to designate corporations to operate water and sewer services across specific municipalities. These corporations can:
- Charge fees
- Manage infrastructure
- Issue rate plans
- Produce annual financial reports
Municipalities designated under this system must transition operations to the corporation.
2. Peel Region Water System Reorganization
Within prescribed timelines (no later than January 1, 2029):
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Caledon
will independently manage water and sewage services previously run by the Region of Peel.
Additional Technical Amendments
Bill 60 also updates:
- Local roads legislation
- Environmental approvals for sewage systems
- Towing and storage regulations
- Transit-oriented community development requirements
- Standards for roadway and construction procedures
When Will the Changes Take Effect?
- Most schedules take effect immediately upon Royal Assent
- Certain specialized sections take effect on dates set by the Lieutenant Governor in Council
- Transitional regulations may modify timelines for tenant-landlord changes
How Bill 60 Is Being Received
Supporters
- Development industry groups
- Some municipal and business associations
They argue the bill reduces red tape and accelerates essential infrastructure.
Critics
- Tenant advocates
- Anti-poverty organizations
- Some municipal leaders
They warn of higher eviction risks, reduced local planning control, and potential increases in housing instability.
The full impact of Bill 60 will depend heavily on upcoming regulations that define many key rules.
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