Bracebridge General Committee Approves Development Charge Reduction Application

The move hopes to reduce development fees and encourage new home builds

Bracebridge General Committee approved the Development Charge Reduction Application, in the July 7, 2026, meeting.

The application seeks provincial funding through the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build's Development Charge Reduction Program, which encourages municipalities to lower residential development charges (DCs) to help increase housing supply and affordability.

Under the program, municipalities that reduce residential DCs by at least 30 per cent for three years may qualify for funding covering up to 90 per cent of eligible growth-related infrastructure costs.

Staff indicated that the Town has already reduced its residential DCs by approximately 45 per cent below the maximum rates identified in its Development Charge Background Study and has gradually phased in rate increases through 2031. However, the application proposes a further 30 per cent reduction for three years, with no changes to non-residential DCs.

To help offset the financial impact of the reductions and support eligible infrastructure projects, the Town is seeking $3,354,709 in provincial funding.

The application includes three projects: the Salmon Avenue Phase 2 Extension, the Douglas Drive Community Park Pump Track, and the Memorial Park washroom facility.

Staff estimate the Salmon Avenue extension could support up to 385 new housing units, while the other two projects would contribute to complete community amenities.

The report notes that the Town would continue negotiating with the Province if the application is successful.

Committee approved authorizing the Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Finance/Treasurer to negotiate and finalize the terms of any funding agreement, with any required amendments to the Town's DC By-law to return to Council for approval.

Staff noted the program's timelines are compressed, with funding agreements required by Aug. 15, and said any agreement should recognize the significant residential DC reductions already built into Bracebridge's current by-law while reasonably offsetting the financial impacts of participating in the program.

Councillor, Don Smith, expressed that it seems the Town is “asked to take on a huge risk with no guarantee of return.”

Smith added that they’ve “already taken on a large leadership role regarding DCs.” He said, “We are discounting our DCs even further in order to make this program work.”

He also questioned whether they’ll “see a benefit or risk,” expressing concern about “putting greater pressure on the taxpayer if for some reason - for lack of a better term - this all blows up.”

Staff advised that the program is primarily “for municipalities that haven’t taken action to reduce DCs,” unlike the Town, that “has in a sense already implemented a DC reduction program.”

They added that because the guidelines include being “subject to case-by-case negotiations” they hope to receive compensation for reductions previously implemented.