[Bunk]

The Herald editorial just shows a lack of any sort of real knowledge of the planning and development system. The City does not "force" the development of multi-family. The City does set a minimum density threshold for new communities as a whole, and it also has density threshold for areas specifically surrounding transit (called Activity Centres, or Corridors) but it's up to the developers how that density is distributed.

Even with the minimum density thresholds, these days developers are almost always above them, not just meeting them. This means that it's the market that's driving density - not usually the City. Within the minimum densities, there is more than enough flexibility to have many, many single family houses with backyards.

Most land developers (and smarter homebuilders) are adapting their models to include more semis, townhouses, and different forms of multi-family. Mattamy for instance introduced four completely new housing forms in their next development, which the City accommodated (the Outline Plan application was passed in record time, even with four new types and a brand new street cross section design). The reason they are doing it is because the market is demanding it.

Where the City is really pushing is a different layout of communities such that transit is more efficient (modified grids) and sequencing of growth areas. Things like density and housing form are more and more being led by developers/homebuilders looking to match the changing market. Some homebuilders are slower than others to adapt.