BURLINGTON, ON — [February 10, 2026] — Earlier today, the City of Burlington’s Committee of the Whole, led by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, voted in favour of the temporary elimination of residential Development Charges (DCs) for a two-year period. The measure now proceeds to City Council for final ratification.
The West End Home Builders’ Association (WE HBA) strongly supports this decisive action, which represents the most significant municipal response in Ontario to address the severe downturn in the housing market. The temporary elimination of DCs as an urgent measure to stabilize a housing pipeline on the verge of collapse and prevent further job losses. Residential construction has fallen off a cliff in Burlington with new home sales declining 90% since 2022.
“The West End Home Builders’ Association strongly supports the leadership and decisive action shown by Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward to temporarily eliminate all residential Development Charges as a necessary measure to kickstart construction activity and prevent further job loses” said Mike Collins-Williams, CEO of WE HBA. “This action sends a strong signal that Burlington understands the gravity of the housing crisis and is prepared to act decisively to protect jobs and housing supply.”
This is a strategic and responsible move to protect jobs and increase housing supply. While municipalities such as Mississauga, Vaughan, and Hamilton have implemented partial reductions to Development Charges, Burlington is the first municipality in Ontario to move forward with a full, temporary elimination in response to current economic conditions.
