Education Development Charges (EDCs) are used by school boards to fund site acquisition and other site related costs to accommodate for students from new residential development. Residential and non-residential development in the Region of Halton are subject to both Education Development Charges by Halton District School Board and
Halton Catholic District School Board. The local municipality collects Education Development Charges on behalf of both school boards at the time of building permit issuance.
2018 EDC By-law Amendment (NEW)
The Education Development Charges (EDC) By-law 2013 for the Halton District School Board (HDSB) expired on June 24. As a result of the provincial elections in June 2018, the Board was unable to adopt the new EDC by-law until June 29, 2018, which did not come into force until July 4, 2018. Both boards were unable to collect any EDC levies during this time period. More importantly, the Ministry of Education imposed a temporary cap on EDC rates for all school boards in Ontario. As a result both the HDSB EDC By-law reflected the rates that were in place in the 2013 By-law (as amended).
On March 29, 2019 the Ministry of Education made amendments to O. Reg. 20/98. The amendments to O. Reg. 20/98 will lift the current cap on EDC rates and replace it with restricted rate increases of:
- A maximum yearly increase of the greater of 5% or $300 per residential unit; and
- A maximum yearly increase of 5% for non-residential rates.
Therefore on May 15, 2019 the HDSB approved amendments to the 2018 EDC By-Law.
As per the permission of O. Reg. 20/98 and the recent amendments, the Board will now amend their Year 1 rates, which will take effect on May 20th, 2019, and to subsequently amend their Year 2 rates, which will take effect on July 4, 2019.
In consideration to the above, the amendments are to reflect the following new rates for the Board:
Halton District School Board
| FROZEN RATES
July 4, 2018: EDC By-Law
| YEAR 1 RATES
May 20, 2019,
Approved New Charge | YEAR 2 RATES
July 4, 2019
Approved New Charge |
Charge on residential development
| $4364.00 per residential unit | $4,664.00per residential unit | $4,892.00 per residential unit |
Charge on non-residential development
| $1.11per square foot; or
($ 11.95 per square metre)
of gross floor area | $1.11 per square foot; or
($ 11.95 per square metre)
of gross floor area | $1.11per square foot; or
($ 11.95 per square metre)
of gross floor area |
2018 EDC By-law
After significant discussion with the Ministry, the EDC Background Study dated March 12, 2018 was approved on June 28, 2018. However, the Ministry’s approval was conditional upon the Board agreeing that a new education development charge by-law based on this background study would be for a maximum term of up to one year and impose education development charges of
- $4,364.00 per dwelling unit and;
- $1.11 per square foot of gross floor area for residential and non-residential developments.
The Board approved the new 2018 EDC By-law, which include these charges on June 29,2018 and they come into effect on July 4, 2018.
These EDCs are the same as the rates that were imposed under the Board’s 2013 EDC by-law, as amended, when it expired last weekend on June 24, 2018.
Two public meetings were held on April 18, 2018 at J.W. Singleton Centre to consider the proposed By-law and inform the public generally about the Board's EDC proposal. The PowerPoint presentation from these meeting is now available to be viewed.
The third public meeting was held on May 16, 2018 at 7:00pm at J.W. Singleton Centre. The PowerPoint presentation is available to be viewed or downloaded.
2018 Education Development Charge By-Law (June 29, 2018)
Education Development Charge Policy Review Report (2018)
Education Development Charge - Background Review Report (2018)
For a full list of documents regarding the EDC By-law and past amendments, please see the Resources menus below.
Current EDC rates for the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) can be found on their website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Education Development Charges (EDCs)?
The Ministry of Education does provide funds for school site acquisition. The Education Act provides the opportunity for school boards to pass By-laws to impose education development charges against land in a board's area of jurisdiction undergoing residential or non-residential development if there is residential development that would increase education land costs and the development requires one or more of the actions identified in Section 257.54(2) of the Education Act.
How are EDCs calculated?
A charge is levied on each new residential unit that requires a building permit. Our current EDC rate for residential development is $3,714 per unit.
For non-residential development, a charge is levied on a per square foot or per square metre based on gross floor area of development. Our rate for non-residential development is $0.93 per square metre or $10.01 per square metre.
When are EDCs collected?
EDCs are payable in full to the local municipality where the development takes place on the date a building permit is issued. All EDCs collected are remitted to the school board on a monthly basis.
Are there exemptions to the EDC By-law?
In addition to the statutory exemptions required under the Education Act and set out in the By-law, a number of non-statutory exemptions were approved by the Board. The exemptions are as follows:
- A public hospital receiving aid under the Public Hospitals Act
- A publically-funded university, community college or a college of applied arts and technology established under the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002
- A seminary of learning maintained for education purposes that is exempt from taxation under the Assessment Act, the whole profits from which are devoted or applied to such purposes, i.e. a non-profit private school
- A place of worship owned by a religious organization exempt from taxations under the Assessment Act that is used primarily as a place of public worship
- A cemetery or burying ground exempt from taxation under the Assessment Act
- A non-residential agricultural building or structure owned by and used for the purposes of a bona fide farming operation
- Metrolinx
How long can the EDC By-law be in effect?
An EDC By-law adopted by the Board is in effect for a maximum of 5 years, at which time the school board must review and adopt a new By-law.
Can an EDC By-law be amended?
Yes. The EDC By-law can be amended only once per year.
Are EDCs collected by school boards applied to new school construction?
No. Money collected can only fund the acquisition of school sites and related costs. The construction of new schools in generally funded through capital grants from the Ministry of Education.
Will the recently approved EDC By-law amendment affect my taxes?
No. EDCs do not impact property taxes. The EDC By-law amendment will only affect new residential and non-residential development which have or will be submitted for building permits.
Documents provided under Resources may not be available in accessible format. For assistance, or if you require further information on Education Development Charges, please contact the Planning department and we will direct your inquiry to the appropriate staff member.
2017 Amendment to the 2013 EDC By-law Resources
Notice of Passing of an Amending EDC By-law
Education Development Charges (EDCs) Pamphlet
Education Development Charges (EDC) By-law, 2013, as amended in 2017
Board Report 17061 - Education Development Charge By-law Amendment (2017)
Notice of Proposed Amendment to EDC By-law
Proposed EDC Amending By-law (2017)
Consideration of an EDC Amendment - Background Report