The Tewin development is facing renewed scrutiny and opposition. But is it too late?

When city council greenlit the controversial Tewin development in 2021, it was pitched as a 15-minute community built on Algonquin design and principles. Despite outcry from the surrounding communities, council approved the development, which at the time included plans to build housing for 35,000 to 45,000 people on about 445 hectares of land in the city's rural south-east near Carlsbad Springs.

Now, the Tewin partnership says 614 hectares are suitable for building—an additional 169 hectares than originally planned—and that the development can house an extra 20,000 people than was first believed, for a total of up to 64,500 residents. 

There have also been changes in the project's leadership. The project was pitched as an act of reconciliation and a joint venture between developer Taggart and their Indigenous partner, the Algonquins of Ontario (AOO) Realty Corporation. But since then, members of the Taggart family have been appointed to leadership at the AOO, leading critics of the project to question the direction the development is taking.

The lands now planned for the Tewin development were added to the city's urban boundary in 2021 as part of deliberations on its new official plan. A joint venture between developer Taggart and the Algonquins of Ontario, Tewin was expected to house around 35,000 to 45,000 residents when fully built out.

At the time, the city had said only 445 hectares could be developed. Now, the Tewin partnership—which includes Taggart Group, Caivan Communities, Algonquins of Ontario Realty Corp. and city planning staff—says 614 hectares are suitable for building. That's 169 more than expected.