Summary of Selected Provincial Planning Initiatives
Strong Communities (Planning Amendment) Act (2004)
The SCA changes the Planning Act in several key ways by:
- requiring that decisions made by planning authorities “shall be consistent with” provincial policy statements;
- giving the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing power to declare a provincial interest at an Ontario Municipal Board hearing; and
- preventing the appeal of settlement boundary changes not supported by municipalities.
See Strong Communities Act from ECO’s 2004/2005 Annual Report.
Provincial Policy Statement (2005)
Key elements of the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement include:
- encouragement of brownfields redevelopment;
- new emphasis on intensification and minimum densities; and
- provisions supporting energy efficiency and air quality initiatives.
See 2005 Provincial Policy Statement from ECO’s 2004/2005 Annual Report.
Greenbelt Act (2005) and Greenbelt Plan (2005)
The PGA sets out numerous objectives for provincial growth plans, including:
- enabling decisions about growth to be made in ways that sustain a robust economy, build strong communities and promote a healthy environment and culture of conservation;
- promoting a rational and balanced approach to decisions about growth that builds on community priorities, strengths and opportunities and makes efficient use of infrastructure;
- enabling planning for growth in a manner that reflects a broad geographical perspective and is integrated across natural and municipal boundaries; and
- ensuring that a long-term vision and long-term goals guide decision-making about growth and provide for the co-ordination of growth policies among all levels of government.
See The Greenbelt Act, 2005, and the Greenbelt Plan from the ECO’s 2004/2005 Annual Report.
Places to Grow Act (2005) and Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan (2006)
The PGA sets out numerous objectives for provincial growth plans, including:
- enabling decisions about growth to be made in ways that sustain a robust economy, build strong communities and promote a healthy environment and culture of conservation;
- promoting a rational and balanced approach to decisions about growth that builds on community priorities, strengths and opportunities and makes efficient use of infrastructure;
- enabling planning for growth in a manner that reflects a broad geographical perspective and is integrated across natural and municipal boundaries; and
- ensuring that a long-term vision and long-term goals guide decision-making about growth and provide for the co-ordination of growth policies among all levels of government.
Bill 51 (2006), the Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, and associated regulations
Key Planning Act changes made in Bill 51 include:
- addition of transit- and pedestrian-friendly design as a provincial interest;
- a requirement that municipal and provincial planning decisions and documents “shall be consistent with and conform with” the provincial policy statements and provincial plans, respectively; and
- enhanced requirements for public notice, information, and consultation.
See Providing municipalities with new tools for sustainability for a review of Bill 51, Section 3.2.
| This is an article from the 2006/07 Annual Report to the Legislature from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. |
Citing This Article:
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 2007. "Planning for Sustainability in Southern Ontario." Reconciling our Priorities, ECO Annual Report, 2006-07. Toronto, ON : Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 16-17.cateogry:Strong Communities Act
