Ontario’s Ford government says it wants to double the maximum fine for unethical developers of new homes who unjustifiably cancel home building projects or terminate purchase agreements.

Kaleed Rasheed, minister of public and business service delivery, and Steve Clark, minister of municipal affairs and housing, made the announcement in Windsor at a media briefing Wednesday morning. They were joined by Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. 

If passed, the government said changes to the New Home Construction Licensing Act (NHCLA) would hike fines from $25,000 to $50,000 per infraction, with no limit to additional penalties. Developers could also have their licences suspended. 

The proposed changes would also enable the regulatory body to use the fines to make payments directly back to affected home buyers. The government said that would make Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to provide such compensation to consumers.

“In making one of the biggest purchases of their lives, hard-working Ontarians deserve to be treated fairly,” said Rasheed. 

“With these proposed changes, we are putting unethical developers on notice. Any predatory builders will think twice before trying to rip off an Ontario home buyer.” 

Quoting Premier Doug Ford, Rasheed said, “This type of appalling behaviour will not be tolerated on our government’s watch.”

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