Development Charges 101: The Basics

Development Charges 101 & 201 workshops are designed to provide the attendee with a full perspective of the Development Charges Act (DCA).

The 101 workshop is targeted towards attendees with limited knowledge of the DCA or those who only participate in segments of the DCA process and would like a broader understanding of how all departments play a role in the development of the charge.
The 201 workshop will focus on a more advanced level of the Act and how to manage the financing of the capital requirements for growth.

Workshop # 1 Description: Development Charges 101: The Basics
This workshop focuses on various elements of the development charge including:
  • DC History including recent legislative changes
  • Requirements of the Act
  • Understanding the Growth Forecast
  • Approach to the calculation of the charge
  • Limitations on Services
  • Service Standards
  • Reserve Funds
  • Capital Forecast
  • Local Service Policy
  • Development Charge Policies
  • By-law Implementation

The workshop will examine a sample development charge study, analysing the background assumptions and inputs into the developing the various components of the study and considering how various policies impact the quantum of the charge and the revenue to be generated. Attendees will also work on some hand-on examples to develop a familiarity with the concepts and policies.

You Will Learn How To:
  • Monitor growth and the DC revenue recovery and how this relates to the annual capital program
  • Understand how the DC calculation works so that funding estimates can be refined as the capital program changes or as master plan studies are received from user departments.
  • Provide a basis for collecting information in between DC studies for presenting to Council or for use in subsequent DC studies.

Who Should Attend?
The workshop is designed for senior or junior staff (finance and other) who have limited experience with the Development Charges Act or with DC by-law. This presentation will be of interest primarily to municipalities of all sizes looking to expand the users’ knowledge on this important capital financing tool.

KEY TAKEAWAY: You will receive detailed samples of DC study components along with a description of the approaches to calculations, where to access background data, tips on recalculating the amount recoverable from DC’s and helpful suggestions for monitoring and maintaining the DC bylaw and charge.

About Your Speakers:
Daryl Abbs, Managing Partner and Navreet Bains, Senior Project Coordinator at Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. have assisted municipalities across Canada with Development Charges. Daryl Abbs has over 11 years experience undertaking upwards of 100 studies and is the firm’s technical lead on Development Charges, responsible for interpretation of ongoing legislative changes. Daryl Abbs has assisted numerous municipalities in the Development Charges Appeal process with the Ontario Land Tribunal and has been accepted as an expert witness in the field of Development Charges. Navreet Bains has over 8 years experience undertaking Development Charges and assisting municipalities throughout the Development Charges appeal process. Navreet previously worked for the Regional Municipality of Peel Region.
When
5/5/2026 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Eastern Daylight Time
Where
Kingston

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