Canada and Ontario Give St. Thomas Up to $19.6 Million as Development Charge Cuts Unlock 6,196 Homes
The Governments of Canada and Ontario announced in St. Thomas, Ontario, on October 15 that the city will receive up to $19.6 million through the Development Charge Reduction Program for housing-enabling infrastructure. St. Thomas has committed to reducing development charges by 30 percent for single-detached homes and multi-unit housing, and 50 percent for remaining unit types, from March 30, 2026 to March 31, 2029.
The two governments said the charge reductions could lower the cost of building a new home by up to $5,961 per home over three years, and combined with expanded HST relief on eligible new homes could save St. Thomas families up to $135,961. Canada and Ontario previously agreed to full HST relief on eligible new homes from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, saving buyers up to $130,000.
The up to $19.6 million will support design and construction of a new wastewater treatment facility, subject to agreements and due diligence. St. Thomas estimates the savings and infrastructure investment would unlock 6,196 new homes.
Source: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：安大略省新建住房施工 / Photo: New housing construction in Ontario（Wikimedia Commons，CC BY-SA 4.0）
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