How Decades of Bad Policy Created an Unchecked Growth Disaster
Imagine this: You’re stuck in traffic on Trafalgar Road for the third time this week, watching the minutes tick away. Meanwhile, developers are breaking ground on another high-rise project, adding thousands more residents to a town that’s already bursting at the seams.
Sound familiar? It should.
Oakville’s infrastructure is collapsing under the weight of unchecked growth, and the Progressive Conservative government is making it worse. The roads are gridlocked, transit is underfunded, and now residents are being forced to cover an estimated $732 million shortfall in stormwater infrastructure.
So how did we get here?
Decades of Bad Planning & Developer Giveaways
For years, Ontario’s government has prioritized developer profits over community well-being, and Oakville is ground zero for the damage. This didn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of policy after policy designed to benefit the few at the expense of everyone else.
The Liberal Years (2003-2018): Ignoring the Problem
- The Liberals failed to address housing affordability and urban sprawl, allowing developers to buy up land and push luxury condos instead of responsible, transit-oriented growth.
- They failed to make long-term investments in transit and infrastructure, leaving municipalities to scramble for funding.
The Ford Government (2018-Present): Developer Free-For-All
The progressive Conservatives have taken the problem and put it on steroids. Under their leadership:
- Local planning power was stripped away, forcing cities like Oakville to approve extreme-density developments without the proper infrastructure in place.
- Developers were given a free pass, with the government reducing development charges, meaning taxpayers must now cover more of the cost of roads, transit, and water systems.
- Infrastructure funding was slashed, forcing municipalities to introduce new taxes and fees to cover the shortfall—like Oakville’s new stormwater charge to make up for years of provincial neglect.
The Current Problem: Overdevelopment Without Infrastructure
Midtown Oakville – A Disaster in the Making
Right now, the PC’s are forcing Oakville to absorb three times the density mandated by the province, with no clear plan to expand roads, transit, or essential services. Midtown Oakville is projected to house up to 54,550 new residents and jobs, far beyond the original target of 20,000.
- Traffic congestion is already unbearable, yet the government expects Oakville’s roads to handle tens of thousands more people without adding capacity.
- Public transit is underfunded, and GO Train service remains insufficient to support this level of growth.
- The stormwater system is outdated, requiring a $732 million investment—yet Ford’s government is contributing nothing to help Oakville pay for it.
Who benefits? Developers and speculators. Who pays? You, the residents.
The Green Party’s Solution: Smart Growth, Not Reckless Expansion
Oakville deserves responsible, well-planned growth that works for the people who live here—not just for developers. The Green Party is the only party with a real plan to fix the damage and prevent future disasters:
- Infrastructure First, Not Last – No new high-density projects without fully funded roads, transit, and essential services first.
- Developers Must Pay Their Fair Share – End the PC giveaway to developers and reinstate proper development charges to fund growth.
- Sustainable Growth, Not Overcrowding – Scale back extreme-density projects like Midtown Oakville and build mid-rise, transit-friendly communities instead of concrete jungles.
- Fix Oakville’s Stormwater Crisis – A Safe Home Fund for homeowners to floodproof properties and provincial investment in stormwater infrastructure.
- Restore Local Planning Authority – Give Oakville back the power to make planning decisions based on what’s best for residents—not what’s best for developers.
A Strategic Vote: Why the PCs, Liberals, and NDP Won’t Fix This
🔵 The Progressive Conservatives created this mess. Our current government has undermined local control and planning power with centralized planning and the creation of Ontario Land Tribunal. They’ve replaced local decision-making with a top-down approach—cutting developer fees and pushing our municipalities to approve extreme high-density projects without securing proper infrastructure funding. Government changes in 2018 and again in 2022 forced our local plans to be overhauled again and again, delaying the development of homes, transit, and essential infrastructure. The result? Higher taxes, worsening congestion and a lack of affordable housing. We need leadership that empowers our communities rather than imposing mandates that hurt our neighbourhoods.
🔴 The Liberals ignored the problem. For 15 years, they allowed rampant housing speculation while failing to invest in critical infrastructure, transit, and affordability measures. Their reckless cancellation of the Oakville gas plant cost taxpayers $1.1 billion, funds that could have built transit, schools, and stormwater protections. They promised two-way, all-day GO service but never delivered, leaving Oakville with worsening congestion and no real transit relief. Meanwhile, housing prices soared under their watch, driven by unregulated foreign investment and unchecked speculation. The result? A region where growth outpaced planning, affordability collapsed, and key projects stalled. We need leadership that prioritizes communities, not empty promises and political mismanagement.
🟠 The NDP has no plan. They claim to fight for affordability but offer no real strategy to balance housing growth with infrastructure investment. While they oppose the PC’s developer giveaways, they fail to propose concrete solutions to ensure that growth is sustainable and communities are well-funded. Their transit commitments remain vague, offering broad spending promises with no clear execution plan for Halton’s gridlocked roads. As Ontario’s Official Opposition, they had the chance to push back against Ford’s pro-developer agenda, yet failed to meaningfully challenge cuts to municipal funding and forced planning overhauls. The result? A party that speaks about change but lacks the leadership and policies to deliver it. Oakville needs a bold, actionable vision, not an opposition party that fails to lead.
✅ That leaves one choice—the Green Party of Ontario
Unlike the others, we aren’t beholden to developers, lobbyists, or the status quo. We are the only party committed to ensuring that Oakville’s growth is responsible, sustainable, and backed by real infrastructure investment.
This election, don’t vote for more of the same broken policies. Vote for the only party that puts people before developers. Vote Green, the only true strategic vote.