Under the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023
Consultation Timeline: February 13, 2024 – March 29, 2024 (45 days)
Ministry: Ministry of Infrastructure
On December 4, 2023, the Province passed the GO Transit Station Funding Act allowing the Minister of Infrastructure to approve the use of an optional funding tool, the Station Contribution Fee, for prescribed municipalities. The tool allows municipalities to fund the design and construction of new GO stations and recover the costs by imposing transit station charges on new development in specified areas surrounding the station. The Ministry is now developing a regulation to implement the Station Contribution Fee and invites stakeholders to provide feedback on the anticipated costs and benefits.
To use the fee, prescribed municipalities must pass a draft bylaw informed by background study, outlining the applicable area and rules regarding how a charge is payable. Further, a resolution requesting the Minister consent to the passing of the bylaw and other prescribed materials must be provided to the Minister within 15 days of the resolution passing.
The Ministry is seeking comments until March 29, 2024, particularly with respect to mapping the boundaries for the applicable area, recoverable construction costs, fee calculation method and background study requirements, calculating municipal offsets, and additional information to require from municipalities before the approval of bylaws, as well as considerations for exemption for certain forms of development.