NIMBYism in Ontario

NIMBY stands for “not in my back yard” and is a pejorative term used to describe opposition by residents to proposed developments in their area, including affordable housing developments and homeless shelters. A NIMBY opposes a development because it is close to them and would tolerate or support it if it were built further away, often suggesting alternative locations for the project proposal they oppose.

Other acronyms include:

• BANANA – Build Absolutely Nothing Near Anyone individuals oppose land development
• “CAVE dwellers” – Citizens Against Virtually Everything individuals oppose change in any form

NIMBY, CAVE and BANANA individuals express their views often by:

• Attending council meetings
• Submitting feedback or presenting at council meetings
• Writing letters to the local newspaper
• Calling in to talk radio shows

This can distort public perceptions, as opponents of change are often more vocal than its supporters.

Common reasons given by opponents of developments (NIMBYs) for delaying/preventing/relocating developments

NIMBYs may raise the following complaints:

• Lack of consultation
• Selection process
• Community harm

NIMBYs may say development will have negative consequences including:

• Deterioration of property values
• Destroying “neighbourhood character”
• Affect their privacy
• More competition for parking (not enough parking)
• Too much parking
• Unwanted shadows
• Increased traffic
• Congested subways
• Crowded sidewalks
• Disruptions due to construction
• Loss of lower priced housing
• Demolition of a favourite place
• Too affordable
• Not affordable enough

They may ask for:

• More time/consultation with the community
• Deferral of the proposal
• Relocation of the proposal

Eventually you start to realize that it’s less “perfect is the enemy of good” and more “most people want nothing to change within line of sight of their property and they’ll say whatever it takes to ensure that happens”.

Example

We are not opposed to new housing or thoughtful growth. But Bayview Village—like many stable, infrastructure-limited neighbourhoods—requires measured, locally sensitive planning, not blanket rezoning dictated by funding timelines.

Our key concerns included:

• No infrastructure or stormwater studies conducted for Bayview Village
• No moratorium or pause on multiplex approvals despite known flood risks
• Weak definitions between legal multiplexes and illegal multi-tenant conversions
• A complete lack of community engagement in our neighbourhood

We will continue to:

• Push for infrastructure studies before infill projects are approved
• Advocate for stronger zoning enforcement tools
• Demand meaningful, not performative, community consultation
• Hold our elected officials accountable for ensuring livability in stable neighbourhoods
• MAGA will remain active and engaged, and we will keep you updated.

Bayview Village Association

Municipalities have financial tools to help offset some of these outcomes, like development charges and parkland dedication fees that are used to improve, refresh, renew, and build public spaces and transit.

Overviews

How your neighbours stop housing (and other projects)

Adding housing in single family neighbourhoods gets a lot of pushback

“Big new bike path endangers schoolchildren, removes parking, and was imposed without neighbourhood consultation” in Montreal