Town receiving up to $94.8 million for infrastructure in exchange for reducing development charges for three years
Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ontario, August 28, 2026 - Today, the governments of Ontario and Canada announced that the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury is receiving up to $94.8 million through the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) in recognition of its commitment to reduce development charges by up to 76 per cent, depending on the unit type and area, from March 30, 2026, to March 31, 2029. The funding will help build more homes and community infrastructure in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury while advancing the province's plan to protect Ontario by investing in projects that support economic growth and keep workers on the job.
The reduction in development charges over this three-year period is estimated to reduce the cost of building new homes by up to $36,500 per home. When combined with the up to $130,000 in savings enabled through the expanded HST relief on eligible new homes, these initiatives could save Bradford West Gwillimbury families up to $166,500 off the cost of a new home.
In March 2026, the Government of Canada and Ontario agreed to a cost-matched structure to provide a combined $8.8 billion over 10 years for infrastructure investments in Ontario, with Canada's share of the funding flowing through the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF). The two governments also agreed to remove the full HST on new homes from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, saving homebuyers up to $130,000 off the cost of a new home. This is in addition to cost reductions for builders through the DCRP.
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury estimates that the construction cost savings over the development charge reduction period, along with the investment in housing-enabling infrastructure would unlock over 29,000 new homes, supporting a housing market with more choice and greater affordability for homebuyers and renters.
Development charge rates would be reduced as follows:
Single and semi-detached homes
- 47 per cent in urban and rural areas
- 30 per cent in Bond Head
Townhomes
- 65 per cent in urban areas and 63 per cent in rural areas
- 41 per cent in Bond Head
Two- and three-bedroom apartments
- 65 per cent in urban areas and 76 per cent in rural areas
- 40 per cent in Bond Head
One-bedroom apartments
- 56 per cent in urban areas and 55 per cent in rural areas
- 35 per cent in Bond Head
The reduction of development charges will take effect following approval by Bradford West Gwillimbury Council and must remain in effect for three years. Subject to the signing of a Canada-Ontario BCSF agreement, further due diligence by both governments and the signing of an Ontario-municipal Transfer Payment Agreement, the DCRP will provide the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury with up to $94.8 million to support infrastructure projects in communities across Bradford West Gwillimbury that will unlock housing, including:
- Upgrading Plant D at the Bradford Water Pollution Control Plant
- Increasing municipal water storage at the John Fennell Reservoir
- Widening and reconstructing the Line 8 corridor from Sideroad 10 to Barrie Street
- Building new Church Well infrastructure
As part of the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, the DCRP is delivering funding over 10 years for housing-enabling infrastructure projects. Funding is being prioritized for municipalities that reduce development charges for all residential types by 30 per cent to 50 per cent or greater and maintain the reductions for at least three years.
