Email this pageBuilding Stronger, Better Communities: Planning Reform Discussion

The consultation has been concluded. This information is available for reference purpose only.

Welcome to the discussion on how to create stronger, better communities through planning reform.     

Changing the land-use planning system is the first step to ensuring that the planning process is effective in curbing sprawl, building a strong economy, and protecting the environment.  We recognize more actions may need to be taken in the future to create a better land-use planning system. 

That’s why we would like to hear from you to ensure that the initiative addresses high priority concerns.

Setting the Stage for Planning Reform

Ontario’s Planning System: It’s important to all of us

Over the next 30 years, 4 million new residents will call Ontario home.  The Ontario government is setting a course for building strong, safe and liveable communities in Ontario that offer residents a high quality of life. 

Our approach for attracting healthy and sustainable growth will be clear, consistent and responsive to Ontarians’ priorities.  This will require making decisions that will lead to long term benefits – new economic growth, more liveable communities, enhanced transportation choices, clean and safe water and improvements to our environment.

The land-use planning system is of key importance to achieving these goals in Ontario.

Land-use planning establishes the rules for development, and helps to determine how our communities grow.

Ontario’s land-use planning system defines the interests and responsibilities of all Ontarians in planning for future land uses.  The system provides the framework for determining the future of our communities and for protecting valuable resources such as farmlands, wetlands, water and natural features.

Ontario needs effective land-use planning, and an effective land-use planning system. This is especially critical given the pressures confronting the province today, such as:

• Increasing gridlock as a result of urban sprawl;
• Unprecedented growth pressures in some parts of Ontario, such as the Golden Horseshoe region;
• Loss of prime agricultural land and other resources;
• The need for enhanced environmental protection; and
• The need for a strong economy.

It is also clear that Ontario’s communities and the public need to have an effective voice in land-use planning. There is a need for balance between individual interests and the broad public interest. Municipalities must also have the right tools to achieve good land-use planning.

The Ontario government is responding to these challenges. Through the Planning Reform initiative, it is reviewing the land-use planning system to ensure it meets today’s needs. 

Planning reform is a key component of the government’s commitment to building strong communities in Ontario. The government believes a strong and effective planning system is critical to: building strong communities, providing a clean and healthy environment, and sustaining a strong economy. This lays the foundation for enhancing the overall quality of life for Ontarians.

There are a number of interrelated initiatives to support strong communities that are currently underway. These initiatives will depend on a stronger land-use planning system for effective implementation.  They include:

Strong Communities    

Several initiatives are under way to support strong communities, including a new deal for our cities and towns, a “seat at the table” with provincial and federal governments, and an enhanced rural development program.

Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt

In December 2003, the McGuinty government took the first steps toward permanent protection of a greenbelt across the Golden Horseshoe region by introducing Bill 27, the Greenbelt Protection Act, 2004.  If passed, the Act would create a greenbelt study area within the Golden Horseshoe and impose a one-year moratorium on new urban development on rural and agricultural lands within this area.

The Greenbelt Task Force, a team of respected, knowledgeable and diverse stakeholder representatives, was established by the government to develop recommendations on the scope, content and implementation of the greenbelt.  It is conducting public consultations in May and June 2004 for the purposes of developing recommendations on how the Province could effectively establish a permanent Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt.

Growth Management in the Golden Horseshoe

This year, the government will release a Growth Management Plan for the Golden Horseshoe that will articulate a long-term strategic vision and tools for how the Golden Horseshoe and surrounding areas should grow over the next 30 years.  The plan will identify priority growth areas where new population and economic investment will be encouraged and will prioritize infrastructure through the development of a 10-year infrastructure plan to ensure those areas are adequately serviced.  At the same time, the plan will identify and protect those areas that provide our food, water and recreation.  An important feature of the Growth Management Plan will be a transportation strategy that promotes the efficient movement of people, goods and services throughout the Golden Horseshoe.

Source Water Protection

In mid-February 2004, the Ministry of the Environment began consultations on how best to deliver watershed-based source protection as a way of securing the long-term quality and quantity of water resources throughout the province. The initiative will result in policy, procedures and proposed legislative changes that will further affect communities in Ontario.

Summary

Planning Reform and related initiatives recognize that comprehensive solutions are needed to build a strong Ontario.  Consultations on these initiatives are being coordinated, and information from the other initiatives will also be coordinated and shared.