Highlights of What's New in the Planning Act
The Government of Ontario has a vision for Ontario’s communities. Reforming Ontario’s land-use planning system is an integral part of the McGuinty government’s commitment to make them stronger, more liveable and more sustainable. A better planning system will help reduce urban sprawl, preserve greenspace, protect important natural resources and build better communities where people want to live, work and invest.
The McGuinty government has already taken a number of important steps to achieve these goals, including:
- making the planning process more accountable and transparent through the Strong Communities (Planning Amendment) Act, 2004 (Bill 26)
- providing strong policy direction on the provincial interest in sustainable growth in the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
- establishing a Greenbelt which permanently protects 1.8 million acres of green space around the Greater Golden Horseshoe
- establishing the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe which outlines a vision and strategy for where and how the region should grow over the next 30 years.
The Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 (Bill 51) complements and builds upon these previous reforms. The Act makes further improvements to Ontario’s land-use planning system and makes the Ontario Municipal Board more effective and accessible to the public. Key changes to the Planning Act came into effect on the proclamation of the legislation on January 1, 2007.