Several changes to the Planning Act come into effect September 30, 2002 to support the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, which the Ontario Government passed last year. The purpose of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act is to improve access and opportunities for persons with disabilities. As a result of the passage of this Act, complementary amendments were made to several other statutes. The associated amendments to the Planning Act are:
1) A new provincial interest is added to Section 2 stating that planning approval authorities shall have regard to accessibility for persons with disabilities in their land use planning and development decisions.
2) Section 51(24) is amended to add the requirement that, when considering a draft plan of subdivision, planning approval authorities shall have regard to accessibility for persons with disabilities.
In addition, municipalities, transit authorities, and agencies are required to develop accessibility plans. Municipalities larger than 10,000 people must appoint accessibility advisory committees, while it is optional for smaller communities to do so.
If a municipality has a committee, Section 12(5) of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act specifies that it may request to review site plans and drawings described in Section 41 of the Planning Act that are submitted to support applications. Section 12(6) states that municipal councils must supply such drawings in a timely manner.
Most new buildings, open spaces, and infrastructure are designed with barrier-free access in mind. The changes to the Planning Act reinforce that decisions affecting land use support the province's overall goal to promote equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
For more information please contact the Provincial Policy and Environmental Services Branch, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, at 416-585-6014. Information on the entire Ontarians with Disabilities Act can be obtained on the Ministry of Community and Social Services site.