Last week Mississauga City Council ended up tied in the vote for passing a motion in support of 4-plex/Four-Plex homes in the city. As a result, it was not passed, despite the city suffering from a housing crisis.

On Thursday, October 19th, the following letter was sent to council via Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities.
If you read any of it, read the fifth paragraph that says Mississauga won’t get the approximately $120 million federal housing fund allocation.

Notably absent from the vote last week as Mayor Crombie, who’s taken time away to campaign for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party.

Why am I bringing her up?
This morning, October 20th at 10:23 a.m., the City of Mississauga issued this, less than 24 hours after being denied the aforementioned federal housing funds:

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie issued a Mayoral Directive to move forward with the necessary steps to allow residents to build four residential units on low-rise residential lots.

“Given the scale and urgency of the housing crisis, it is critical that leadership at all levels of government work together,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Issuing this directive will ensure that Mississauga continues to be eligible for $120 million in important federal funding for housing and community infrastructure while allowing for much-needed housing to be built in our neighbourhoods for the next generation.”

In response to the Mayoral Directive, staff will:

Prepare the required Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments to permit “as-of-right” development for up to four residential units on low-rise residential lots in neighbourhoods city-wide, with such provisions as staff deem appropriate.

Schedule and notify the public of a statutory public meeting to be held at a Planning and Development Committee meeting before the end of 2023.

Undertake the necessary steps to bring forward the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments through the municipal planning process.

Wondering why she can make this decision despite being on leave? It’s legit, so says the City of Mississauga release:

While on leave, Mayor Crombie is permitted as Head of Council to issue Mayoral Directives under s.284.11.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001. Today’s directive provides notice that upon returning to her role as Mayor during the November budget process, the Mayor intends to issue a motion to enact Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments that will permit four-unit housing in Mississauga.

What are your thoughts on Four-Plexes in Mississauga?