Bill 70, Supporting Mobility, Affordability and Reliable Transportation in Ontario Act, 2025
Chamber
ontario
Stage
Introduced
This Ontario bill sets highway maintenance standards, plans 2+1 highway upgrades, and requires 20% affordable housing on Metrolinx land sales.
Key Changes
- Metrolinx must now promote and integrate municipal bike share systems into its regional transit network
- When Metrolinx sells land for residential development, at least 20% of units must be affordable housing
- Highways 11, 17, and 69 must meet specific snow removal (4 hours), ice clearance (3 hours), and pothole repair (4 days) standards
- The Minister must publish a plan within 12 months to convert Highways 11, 17, and 69 into a 2+1 three-lane configuration
- Construction on the highway upgrades must start within one year of the plan and finish within five years
- Annual public reports on construction progress, costs, timelines, and procurement must be published online
Gotchas
- The bill is a private member's bill introduced by an opposition MPP, meaning it faces a lower likelihood of passing without government support
- The affordable housing requirement uses the definition from the Development Charges Act, 1997, which ties affordability to specific income thresholds that may not reflect local housing market conditions
- The 2+1 highway configuration plan requires community consultation, but the bill does not specify how much weight that consultation must carry in the final plan
- Maintenance standards apply to two-lane portions of the highways as well, but enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance are not specified in the bill
- The bill does not identify a funding source for the highway upgrades or specify a cost estimate, leaving fiscal impact unclear
Who's Affected
- Metrolinx and its subsidiary corporations
- Residents and commuters in Northern Ontario who use Highways 11, 17, and 69
- Municipalities with bike share programs seeking transit integration
- Affordable housing seekers near Metrolinx development sites
- Construction and procurement companies bidding on highway projects
- Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Vibes
0 responses
Gotchas
- The bill is a private member's bill introduced by an opposition MPP, meaning it faces a lower likelihood of passing without government support
- The affordable housing requirement uses the definition from the Development Charges Act, 1997, which ties affordability to specific income thresholds that may not reflect local housing market conditions
- The 2+1 highway configuration plan requires community consultation, but the bill does not specify how much weight that consultation must carry in the final plan
- Maintenance standards apply to two-lane portions of the highways as well, but enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance are not specified in the bill
- The bill does not identify a funding source for the highway upgrades or specify a cost estimate, leaving fiscal impact unclear
Summary
Bill 70 makes three main changes to Ontario law. First, it requires Metrolinx — the regional transit agency — to integrate municipal bike share systems into its routes, fares, and schedules. Second, when Metrolinx sells land to build homes, at least 20% of those homes must be affordable housing units as defined under Ontario's Development Charges Act. Third, the bill sets specific maintenance standards for Highways 11, 17, and 69 — roads that serve Northern Ontario — covering snow removal, ice clearance, and pothole repair timelines. The bill also requires the Minister of Transportation to develop a plan within 12 months to convert Highways 11, 17, and 69 into a '2+1 configuration' — a three-lane road where a centre passing lane alternates direction every two to five kilometres. Construction must begin within one year of the plan being published and be completed within five years. Annual progress reports must be published online. This bill was introduced by an opposition MPP (Andrea Hazell) and appears aimed at improving safety and affordability in both urban transit and Northern Ontario road infrastructure, areas that have been subjects of public concern.
Automatically generated from bill text using Claude
Vibes
0 responses
Recorded Votes
| Date | Description | Yeas | Nays | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 3, 2025 | Second Reading of Bill 70, An Act to amend the Metrolinx Act, 2006 and the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act with respect to transportation. | 41 | 67 | Negatived |