Provincial Policy Statement
The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) is a key element in Ontario’s land use planning system. It provides direction on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development, and promotes the provincial “policy-led” planning system. The Provincial Policy Statement recognizes the complex inter-relationships among economic, environmental, and social factors in land use planning, and embodies good planning principles. The current Provincial Policy Statement came into effect on May 22, 1996.
The Provincial Policy Statement will be an important vehicle for supporting Ontario’s Smart Growth strategy to promote and manage growth in ways that sustain a strong economy, build strong communities, and promote a healthy environment.
The Provincial Policy Statement is issued under the authority of Section 3 of the Planning Act. Section 3 states that, in exercising any authority that affects planning matters, decision-makers “shall have regard to” the Policy Statement.
Five-Year Review of the Provincial Policy Statement
The Planning Act requires that a review of the Provincial Policy Statement be undertaken (commenced) at least every five years from the date that a policy statement was issued. The purpose of the review is to find out whether the Provincial Policy Statement needs to be revised.
The first review of the Provincial Policy Statement began May 22, 2001 and is currently proceeding in accordance with the legislation.
Stakeholder Consultation
In the summer and fall of 2001, the Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, consulted with stakeholders who are directly, or indirectly, impacted by the policies of the PPS. Public input is essential to ensure we have effective land use policies that meet the needs of our communities.
The consultations included the following components:
- a consultation pamphlet posted on the Ministry website and mailed to all municipalities, local MPPs, government information centres, and a large number of stakeholders
- posting of the five-year review on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry
- interviews with key stakeholders
- eight regional workshops co-chaired by the Ministry to solicit input from a cross-section of stakeholders
- six public open houses co-chaired by the Ministry
- notices in a number of Ontario newspapers
The goal of the consultations was to hear what municipalities, stakeholders, and the public had to say about the effectiveness of the Provincial Policy Statement policies, to determine whether changes are required, and to identify the nature of any possible changes.
To facilitate stakeholder input and stimulate discussion, the consultation program asked for input on the following seven questions:
- Do the principles in the Provincial Policy Statement embody the priorities you think the province should have in land use planning?
- Do the principles of the Provincial Policy Statement support Smart Growth objectives?
- Has the Provincial Policy Statement been effective in providing decision-makers with direction on provincial interests in land use planning matters?
- Are the policies in the Provincial Policy Statement clear and understandable?
- Is the scope and detail of the Provincial Policy Statement appropriate?
- Are its policies being successfully implemented at the local level?
- Are there policies that are no longer needed?
Main Themes Identifed through Consultations
This report provides highlights of the five-year review consultations. It is intended to provide stakeholders with a broad overview of the nature of input received, and stimulate further thought.
The identified issues represent the range of input received through the consultations. We note that some of the most frequently expressed themes related to protecting the environment, protecting water, providing a provincial vision and direction for balancing provincial policies, integrating Smart Growth principles and goals into the PPS, and other issues related to implementation.
There is no implied importance in the order of issues highlighted in this report.
Revisions to the Provincial Policy Statement may be Required
In considering changes to the PPS, perhaps the most fundamental question is whether it needs to be changed at all. Input from diverse stakeholder groups indicated that, overall, the structure, length and layout of the Provincial Policy Statement is generally sound. However, stakeholders said that revisions to the Provincial Policy Statement may be required to:
- provide direction and rationale for the policies
- give more direction in policy areas such as the environment, Smart Growth, and the balancing of provincial interests
- update certain policies to reflect new standards and responsibilities
- refine and/or elaborate on policies to ensure their continued effectiveness, including those on natural heritage, housing, servicing and infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, managing growth and mineral resources
- provide strong policies for the protection of water
- address emerging and implementation issues
This report highlights the input stakeholders provided. For ease of discussion, it has been categorized into main themes. These capture the essence of the seven consultation questions that were designed to facilitate and stimulate discussion on the PPS, as well as the key issues that stakeholders reported on.
The review received invaluable input through e-mails, letters, completion of the consultation pamphlet, the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry, regional workshops and public open houses, focused meetings with Ministry staff, and interviews with stakeholders.
Provincial Policy Statement Preamble and Principles
Stakeholder input about the Provincial Policy Statement Preamble and Principles included the view that there is a need to clearly define a provincial vision, provide more direction on how to balance land use planning priorities, and achieve a better balance between the principles of the economy and the environment. Some stakeholders also said that a greater priority should be placed on a range of issues such as quality of life, the public interest, alternative modes of transportation, infrastructure (including education and health infrastructure), social and community factors, and inter-regional planning. A number also said that the Preamble and Principles should clearly state that a balanced approach should be taken on matters of provincial interest identified in the PPS.
Stakeholders believed that the Principles of the Provincial Policy Statement support, and are consistent with, Smart Growth objectives. They also strongly support Smart Growth goals being reflected in the Provincial Policy Statement where they are not already incorporated. But some said that the Provincial Policy Statement should go further in promoting Smart Growth and made a number of suggestions, such as defining the inter-relationship of the Provincial Policy Statement Principles with Smart Growth, considering whether the “shall have regard to” provision is sufficient to implement objectives, and addressing implementation challenges.
A common theme was the need to allow for regional variability (i.e., a “one-size-does-not-fit-all” approach). Stakeholders also asked for clarification on whether there is an implied ranking in the order of the Provincial Policy Statement Principles.
Provincial Policy Statement Principles: The current Provincial Policy Statement recognizes that Ontario’s long term economic prosperity, environmental health and social well-being depend on the following three principles:
- managing change and promoting efficient, costeffective development and land use patterns that stimulate economic growth and protect the environment and public health
- protecting resources for their economic use and/or environmental benefits
- reducing the potential for public cost or risk to Ontario’s residents by directing development away from areas where there is a risk to public health or safety, or of property damage
Direction on Provincial Interests in Land Use Planning
Stakeholders generally indicated that they support the overall structure and policy thrust of the PPS. But they stated that more provincial direction and policy detail is required in certain key areas.
Some said that the government should: articulate a land use planning vision for Ontario; provide more guidance for growth management; give greater direction for unorganized areas/Crown lands; promote, and be more actively engaged in, planning for large geographic areas; be more involved in providing planning expertise and defending provincial issues; undertake performance measurement for the PPS; and provide data to aid in its implementation and planning decisions at the municipal level.
While stakeholders said that flexibility is required to address local and regional variations, there was a wide range of opinion on an appropriate balance between flexibility in local decision-making and compulsory provincial policy direction.
The need for greater direction was most frequently raised by stakeholders in the context of issues related to cross-boundary planning, growth, transportation and infrastructure planning, and the protection of natural features.
Other related themes included the provincial role in planning, funding issues, the need for more technical provincial-level information and expertise to support municipal and/or regional planning exercises, the use of stronger language in the PPS, and issues related to the “shall have regard to” principle.
Scope, Structure and Clarity of PPS
Stakeholders offered a range of opinions. Generally, they indicated that they have no concerns about its scope and structure. They said, however, that issues such as quality of life and social well-being, the environment, and the balancing of provincial interests should be emphasized.
Some said the language in the Provincial Policy Statement should be more concise and that there should be more technical definitions. More policy detail and increased scope is also needed in a number of areas. These include clearly defining the provincial vision, priorities and objectives, and providing more direction for:
- policy conflicts
- unincorporated areas/Crown lands and northern Ontario issues
- a range of issues: public safety, recycling, urban forestry/green spaces, brownfields redevelopment, air and water quality, stormwater and waste management, seasonal residential development and resource-based recreation activity, peat extraction, telecommunications, transit-supportive development, and intensive agriculture
It was also suggested that including a rationale for the main policy areas would improve the clarity of the Provincial Policy Statement and assist in its implementation.
While some stakeholders expressed the need for more provincial direction, a number recognized the importance of local flexibility in decisionmaking and did not support a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Smart Growth
During the consultations, stakeholders articulated that the full range of Provincial Policy Statement issues have components related to Smart Growth. They also stated that the Provincial Policy Statement and Smart Growth are directly linked and should work together to achieve common goals. The Provincial Policy Statement was commonly viewed as an important additional vehicle to help achieve a number of Smart Growth objectives, particularly in areas related to growth management or growth promotion; protecting the environment, natural heritage, agricultural and open space areas; cross-boundary coordination for transportation, infrastructure and other issues; “big-picture” planning; and enhancing quality of life. Some identified that implementing Smart Growth and PPS’ objectives is a key challenge. Issues included funding, challenges related to technical information and expertise at the local level and a need to integrate Smart Growth into the PPS.
Smart Growth is Ontario’s vision for promoting and managing growth in ways that sustain a strong economy, build strong communities, and promote a healthy environment.
The government of Ontario is establishing five Smart Growth panels in Central, Western, Eastern, Northwestern and Northeastern Ontario. The Panels will advise on Smart Growth strategies and priority issues for each zone.
Growth Management
Stakeholders identified growth management as a key issue – with direct links to quality of life, transportation and infrastructure planning, and protecting the environment, water and agricultural land. Stakeholders reiterated that traditional approaches to growth management are no longer adequate and that Smart Growth promotes the more integrated approach that is required. They also said that growth management must recognize differing regional priorities.
Important elements included the need to:
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provide a vision, or visions, for growth management on a large geographic scale
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address regional priorities: some stakeholders supported separate visions for the North, large urban areas (including the Golden Horseshoe), and rural areas
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review cross-boundary coordination for land use and infrastructure planning
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recognize the limits to growth in some areas
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acknowledge the importance of ecosystems in planning for growth
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give more direction for rural areas, Crown lands and unincorporated areas
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provide direction and/or more stringent restrictions related to urban or settlement area growth boundaries
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emphasize the transportation and transit connections joining communities
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encourage alternative transportation modes, including transit
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promote brownfields redevelopment and increased density for residential and non-residential use
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consider the potential impact of land supply requirements on growth management
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protect the environment
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offer increased guidance for cottage-country and the recreational uses of land
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provide links between the Provincial Policy Statement and Smart Growth
Environment and Natural Heritage
Stakeholders said environmental protection is a key priority in land use planning and a critical determinant of quality of life. Common themes were that the Provincial Policy Statement should have a stronger environmental focus, address cumulative impact, and ensure that the environment is a key consideration when balancing provincial interests. Some advocated adopting an “environment-first” approach.
Stakeholders identified several key subcomponents of the environment and natural heritage as being important, including water and air, wetlands and woodlands, and the protection of species and habitat. Linkages between the various components of the environment were also identified as a key issue.
Stakeholders said that growth management strategies must recognize differing regional priorities. In urban areas in southern Ontario, the priority is to manage growth; in rural areas and in northern Ontario, it is to promote growth and create jobs.
Water
Water protection was a universal theme. Some stakeholders were concerned that the water policy in Policy 2.4 of the Provincial Policy Statement does not give sufficient detail and direction, appears to be too short, and does not give water the priority it deserves. A variety of stakeholder groups stated that water should be seen as a primary resource and its protection should take priority over other land uses.
Stakeholders pointed to a wide range of water-related issues, such as protecting the quality of surface and groundwater, aquifer and wellhead protection, permeability and surface run-off resulting from development, groundwater extraction, watershed and sub-watershed planning, cumulative impact, cross-boundary issues, and clarifying the role of conservation authorities. Some also said that technical terms related to water and its protection should be more clearly defined.
Water was recognized as a key resource with linkages to other land use activities like agriculture, lot creation, the protection of wetlands, and other natural features.
Air Quality
Air quality is another important environmental issue that should be considered in the Provincial Policy Statement review. Key issues were the need to recognize air quality, climate change and global warming, as well as addressing cross-boundary issues. Considering linkages with other activities such as transportation and protecting woodlots and urban forests is a further consideration.
Water protection was a key issue with a number of stakeholders in all regions of the province.
Recreation-based communities generally identified a need to provide more tools for communities along, or near, surface water bodies to better undertake land use and water planning.
Wetlands
Stakeholders identified wetlands as important natural heritage features that are valued for their intrinsic beauty, their role as habitat for a wide range of plant and animal life, and their direct links to improving water quality. The range of issues identified through the consultation included:
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protecting northern Ontario wetlands, significant wetlands in southern Ontario, and addressing issues related to coastal wetlands
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providing direction where resource conflicts may arise – particularly between wetlands, aggregates, and agriculture
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recognizing cumulative impact
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strengthening links between wetland protection and water quality
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addressing the impact of peat extraction on wetlands
A number of stakeholders identified wetland protection as an important link to protecting water quality.
The protection of wetlands on the Canadian Shield is an important issue in northern Ontario.
Woodlands
A number of stakeholders said that the social, ecological and economic benefits of trees and woodlands should be recognized in the PPS. They also said that “significant woodlands” should be identified anywhere in the province (not just south and east of the Canadian Shield as reflected in the current PPS), and that woodlands should be rated in a similar manner to wetlands.
Species and Habitat
Stakeholders said that the Provincial Policy Statement policies for endangered and threatened species should be expanded to protect vulnerable species. Those with a role in the implementation of fish habitat policies said the Provincial Policy Statement should be updated to reflect new standards and revised responsibilities. Specific suggestions included reviewing the Provincial Policy Statement definitions of fish and fish habitat to be consistent with those in the federal Fisheries Act; referencing both the Fisheries Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act; and recognizing the role of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in project review.
Infrastructure
Another commonly expressed theme was infrastructure, which included roads, transit, rail, airports, sewage and water, and telecommunications. Some stakeholders stated that the concept of infrastructure should be expanded to include non-traditional forms of infrastructure, such as social and educational facilities.
A number of stakeholders recognized the important link between air quality and the protection of trees.
Transportation (Roads, Public Transit and Rail)
Transportation is a key strategic planning issue, and a critical component of economic competitiveness and quality of life. A number of stakeholders recognized that transportation planning is a crucial element of Smart Growth, and articulated the need to more strategically plan and coordinate transportation investments across municipal and regional boundaries. Some advocated a stronger provincial role in transportation planning.
Stakeholders suggested a wide range of measures that could improve or strengthen transportation policies. These include:
- reducing auto-dependence and facilitating public transit through modifying land use patterns and densities
- supporting transportation demand management initiatives
- improving public transit and supporting alternative modes of transportation, including support for cycling and walking
- achieving a better integration between major systems such as rail, transit and highways
- promoting regional planning for transportation and infrastructure
- linking transportation planning with growth management; suggestions included encouraging the growth of regional centres linked by transit and roads
- providing a stronger policy emphasis for rail transit and inter-city transportation
- emphasizing linkages between housing, strong communities, revitalization, transit, air quality and quality of life
- addressing the movement of goods, principles for hazardous materials shipment corridors, hazardous materials buffer areas, and the relationship of such materials to other land uses
Issues of traffic congestion, addressing cross-boundary coordination, and promoting alternatives to the automobile were especially prevalent with some stakeholders in southern Ontario.
Some stakeholders identified the need for increased transportation funding, including funding for public transit, GO Transit, and alternative transportation modes as a key element in transportation planning and achieving Smart Growth.
Airports
Stakeholders said the Provincial Policy Statement airport policies should be updated to reflect new standards and/or revised responsibilities. Specific suggestions included expanding the definition of airports, reviewing intensification policies related to development near airports, and issues related to buffering.
Some transportation stakeholders involved in airport planning expressed a need to review policies permitting intensification near airports.
Servicing
Some stakeholders encouraged updating the servicing policies in the Provincial Policy Statement to reflect desired goals and objectives, such as clean water, while others supported technical standards. They also requested linking storm water management and water quality, and suggested that policies for partial, communal and private services be reconsidered.
Some stakeholders asked for clarification of the meaning of ”not feasible” in Policy 1.3.1.1c. of the PPS, which provides that “lot/unit creation” may be serviced by individual on-site systems where the use of communal systems is not feasible.
Waste Management
Stakeholders said that the Provincial Policy Statement should recognize that waste reduction, diversion, and recycling are important components of waste management.
Telecommunications
Stakeholders identified that planning for new telecommunications and information technologies is a key contemporary infrastructure issue with important economic and social implications. Some noted that, while the “definitions” section of the Provincial Policy Statement includes “communications” under infrastructure, there is no corresponding policy in the body of the Provincial Policy Statement that pinpoints its importance in economic wellbeing.
Housing
Stakeholders outlined a range of housing-related themes. The most common were affordable housing, intensification, and implementation issues.
Some rural municipalities said that the current policies, which rank the desirability of services required for development, are more difficult to apply in rural areas.
Affordable Housing
Stakeholders identified a range of measures that the Provincial Policy Statement could use to support affordable housing, including:
- specifying minimum targets for affordable housing
- giving greater direction on what is considered “affordable” in different areas of the province
- promoting a wide range of housing options, such as affordable housing forms, in each municipality
Intensification and Infill
There was strong support for intensification policies. Some stakeholders said the Provincial Policy Statement should further define “intensification”, “infilling” and “redevelopment” and clarify how these work in conjunction with greenfield development to achieve housing objectives.
They also thought that the Provincial Policy Statement should establish targets for minimum or transit-supportive densities, as well as for a mix of housing types. Some pointed to the aging of infrastructure (sewers, water and roads) as impeding the achievement of infill and intensification policies.
Other Issues Related to Housing
Consultations also revealed a wide range of other issues related to housing, including:
- barrier free access
- whether there should be a regional focus in implementing housing policies
- promoting a full range of housing
- improving the balance of housing/jobs within communities
- providing direction on the interpretation of terms such as “cost-effectivedevelopment standards”
- emphasizing linkages between housing and other policy areas – like transit
Mineral Resources
A common theme with resource and other stakeholders related to aggregate extraction, with links to quality of life, natural heritage features and agricultural lands. Some resource producers, among others, emphasized the economic and environmental importance of ensuring adequate resources close to markets. Other comments called for greater direction on balancing resource conflicts, specifically those between aggregates, agricultural land and natural heritage features (especially wetlands and woodlands), and the articulation of a provincial strategy for managing mineral resources.
Other issues included:
- resource extraction on prime agricultural lands
- extraction below the water table
- site rehabilitation and related hazards
- off-site and the cumulative impact of resource extraction
- peat extraction
- development in areas with resource potential
- direction on the meaning of a range of terms including “known deposits”, “need” and “feasible”
Due to varying growth and development pressures across the
province, some stakeholders suggested a regional focus to implementing housing policies.
Agriculture
Agricultural and other stakeholders frequently identified the protection of farmland and agricultural economies as a key issue. Some pointed agriculture as being a key component of the economy, an important source of local food, and valued landscape and green space areas. Protecting southern Ontario farmland is a key issue with stakeholders in that area, as this region contains some of the best farmland in the province, but has some of the highest growth pressures.
Some stakeholders voiced concerns about agriculture’s potential impact on the environment, specifically on water quality.
Stakeholders also identified protecting farmland in northern Ontario as a key issue.
A range of suggestions to protect agriculture and farmland included:
- addressing issues of urban/rural interface
- considering the impact of land supply requirements on the protection of agricultural lands
- protecting active agricultural uses that are not located on prime agricultural lands
- addressing the changing nature of agriculture (i.e., intensive livestock farms)
- considering the range of land uses permitted in agricultural areas
- protecting the Niagara tender fruit and specialty crop lands
- updating the Minimum Distance Separation formula
- reviewing policies for lot creation in prime agricultural areas – including minimum lot sizes
- providing direction for balancing conflicts between agriculture and other land uses, including aggregates and natural heritage
- defining technical terms
- providing linkages to agricultural legislation
Some stakeholders were concerned that Policy 2.3.4 of the Provincial Policy Statement (which permits agricultural uses to continue in natural heritage features and areas) could conflict with the protection of natural heritage resources.
Because of its potential environmental impact, especially on water, a number of stakeholders said that intensive agriculture, such as intensive livestock operations, should be treated differently than traditional agricultural uses. A range of suggestions included both defining and providing specific policy direction and detail for “intensive” agriculture, and linking to other agricultural legislation.
A number of stakeholders stated that the long-term protection of farmland is directly linked to growth management strategies.
Cultural Resources
Some stakeholders were concerned that cultural heritage resources are threatened and look to the Provincial Policy Statement to give greater direction and detail for their protection. Some asked for more direction on assessing archaeological potential, and the meaning of “significant” heritage and archaeological resources and cultural heritage landscapes.
Other suggestions included requiring archaeological screening in all cases of site alteration, broadening the definition of “environment” to include both natural and cultural resources and providing direction in cases of resource conflicts. Some stakeholders recognized the potential for cultural resources to support quality of life, tourism, and Smart Growth.
Regional Perspectives
Input provided by stakeholders across Ontario reflected the full range of issues highlighted in this report. In recognition of the diversity across the province, a number of common themes emerged from a regional perspective.
Identified regional perspectives highlight some common themes in different geographic areas. They are not meant to imply that those issues were important only in specific areas.
Stakeholders across the province echoed the theme (also raised during Smart Growth consultations) that “one-size-does-not-fit-all.” In northern Ontario, common themes included the need to recognize the distinctiveness of this region in issues that include providing direction for Crown lands and forest management, protecting wetlands in the Canadian Shield, promoting economic growth, and recognizing the economic importance of resource-based activities such as mining.
In larger urban centres, common themes included growth management; housing affordability; gridlock; transit and the need for transportation alternatives. Other concerns were cross-boundary issues in growth, transportation and infrastructure; and providing direction for conflicts among development, agricultural lands, natural heritage features and aggregate activities.
A number of stakeholders said that urban and rural areas both face distinct pressures. Some called for a separate policy statement for large urban areas, while many small and rural municipalities located close to urban centres noted challenges related to preserving their distinct quality of life and promoting growth.
Other geographically-based perspectives included the protection of tender fruit lands and lands suitable for grape cultivation in the Niagara Region, protecting the Oak Ridges Moraine, preserving Ontario’s remaining natural heritage sites in those areas that have been more heavily subjected to pressures from urbanization, agriculture, and other human activities, and land use planning and development patterns in seasonal recreational areas.
Emerging Issues
When reviewing the PPS, a wide range of emerging issues were seen to be important. These included not only new topics to be added, but also those that are already addressed but which have become more prominent planning issues today.
For ease of discussion, issues have been categorized under the general issue areas shown below:
Environment and Resources
watershed and water planning
water and wellhead protection
drainage and shoreline issues
safe, plentiful, drinking water
air quality
sustainable development and sustainable, healthy,
and diverse communities
short-term benefits versus long-term costs
energy conservation
peat extraction
forestry and tree protection
cross-boundary coordination
Growth Management
residential and commercial/industrial land management
brownfields redevelopment
compact urban form
balancing social, environmental and quality of life issues
planning for rural/countryside areas
planning for resource-based recreational development
cross-boundary coordination
Transportation and Infrastructure
planning for new telecommunications
multi-modal and alternate forms of transportation
public transit and transit-supportive development
waste reduction and recycling
cross-boundary coordination
Agriculture
intensive agriculture
urban/rural interface
economic value of agriculture
Other Emerging Issues
regional focus to implementation of policies
public safety and emergency planning
planning for the aged and people with disabilities
adult lifestyle/retirement-geared developments
urban design
golf courses
Policies that are no Longer Needed
Stakeholders said that there are few, if any, policies in the Provincial Policy Statement that should be removed. Some requested a review of whether it is appropriate to require municipalities to maintain a three-year supply of residential units (Policy 1.2.1b) and of policies related to partial servicing and farm retirement lots (Policies 1.3.1.1d and 2.1.2).
Implementation
Stakeholders said that the PPS’ effectiveness depends on its successful implementation. While some suggestions to improve implementation were directly within the scope of the Provincial Policy Statement review,
others related to funding and initiatives beyond the realm of land use planning.
Within the context of land use planning and the PPS, some of the implementation challenges identified as important include anincreased provincial role in education, training and monitoring; clarifying the meaning of “shall have regard to” and other technical terms used in the Provincial Policy Statement and whether it applies on Crown lands; the need for more implementation tools and performance measures; and policy guidance in terms of prioritizing competing provincial interests.
A theme with municipal, environmental, and other stakeholders, was the need for more provincial-level technical information, expertise, and best practice guides to assist in implementing PPS’ objectives. However, not all stakeholders supported these types of guides.
Other Related Issues
Stakeholders provided a wide range of input to the five-year review. This report reflects highlights of input received in areas related to land use planning and the Provincial Policy Statement.
Stakeholders also offered a broad range of input on other planningrelated matters, including the statutory provisions of the Planning Act, the role of the Ontario Municipal Board, and initiatives or issues addressed by provincial legislation, policies or regulations distinct from the PPS.
Received input has been documented as an important information source on other elements of the planning system in Ontario. At this time, however, it is the Provincial Policy Statement that is the focus of the five-year review.
Next Steps in the Provincial Policy Statement Five-Year Review
The input received from all stakeholders as part of the Provincial Policy Statement five-year review has been documented and is currently being analyzed. As the assessment of information continues, further clarification of issues and/or input may be sought from stakeholders.
The Government of Ontario thanks all participants in the consultations process, and looks forward to continuing the dialogue as it works towards refining the Provincial Policy Statement.
Stakeholders also commented on the Heritage Act and its importance in helping to preserve our heritage. Some changes to the Heritage Act were suggested to help improve heritage preservation.