Email this pageCommunity Planning Learning Resources
MMAH: E-learning
See all of the Ministry's e-learning modules related to Community Planning and text versions.
Partners in Planning
On June 27, 2011, 400 planners from 160 municipalities and Conservation Authorities from across Ontario participated in a live webcast to learn about the province's land use planning system.
The webcast "Partners in Planning" was a joint effort by MMAH and the Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources, and featured the following presentations:
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"Why Plan?" Initiative (pdf)
Why Plan?
Why Plan Video - The video highlights opportunities and challenges facing Ontario municipalities and promotes updated Official Plans and Ontario's planning act tools as a way for municipalities to achieve healthy, vibrant investment ready communities.
Why Plan AMO iCAST
The iCAST recording of the “Why Plan” session from the 2010 AMO Conference, featuring the following presentations; Land Use and the Built Environment, Economic Readiness and the Importance of Planning and Community Health and the Importance of Planning.
Why Plan AMO Session iCAST - Video recording of the original “WHY PLAN” live iCAST at the 2010 AMO conference featuring a panel of presenters including;
- Audrey Bennet (Director of Provincial Policy Policy Branch, MMAH)
- Dr. Charles Gardiner (Medical Officer of Health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit)
- George Borovilos (Director, Business Development Branch at Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)
Video recording bookmarked by speaker for your viewing convenience.
Why Plan AMO Session Panel Slide Presentations
In the summer of 2010, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) in partnership with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Ontario Professional Planner’s Institute (OPPI)collaborated on the following panel presentations on Why Plan.
Audrey Bennet (Director of Provincial Planning Policy Branch, MMAH)
This presentation delivered to municipal councillors and senior staff identifies community opportunities and challenges that can be addressed through updated Official Plans and the use of Planning Act tools.
George Borovilos (Director, Business Development Branch at Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)
This presentation addresses how land use planning can contribute to a community’s economic readiness. It focuses on the importance of community vision and how it can be achieved through a variety of tools such as an updated official plan
Dr. Charles Gardiner, Medical of Health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit)
The presentation covers why and how public health and municipalities can work together to change the built environment to improve health.
Open For Business
A Land Use Planning Guide for Businesses
The guide has been developed to assist new business understand the land use planning process in Ontario and acts as a reference to those opening new businesses, or expanding existing businesses. The goal of the guide is to contribute to creating faster, smarter and more streamlined government-to-business services and aims to make
Planning Act and the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
Bill 51 Municipal Training Presentations
Bill 51 was proclaimed in January, 2007. The Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 made changes to the Planning Act among other Acts. In the winter/spring of 2007, the Ministry offered training to municipalities on these changes. The presentations from these sessions are linked below as PDF documents:
- What’s Planning Reform all about?
- Process Improvements
- Tools to Support Sustainable Development
- Planning Reform and Other Provincial Initiatives
- Transition
- Ontario Municipal Board Reform
- Development Permit System
- Planning Reform – Next Steps
Planning Act Before and After Chart
This job aid was prepared for the municipal training sessions related to Bill 51. It shows selected provisions before and after the amendments made through the Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act.
Municipal Implementation Checklist
This job aid was prepared for the municipal training sessions related to Bill 51 (the Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 ). This chart highlights and summarizes some of the key mandatory and voluntary procedures that municipalities must/could undertake in order to use some of the tools/provisions introduced through the Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006.
Bill 26 and PPS Municipal Training Presentations
Bill 26 made amendments to the Planning Act. As well, the government introduced a revised Provincial Policy Statement, the PPS, 2005. In March 2005 the Ministry offered training to municipalities on these changes. The presentations from these sessions are linked below as PDF documents:
- Overview of Key Changes
- “Shall be consistent with”
- Transition provisions
- Provincial Policy Statement Comparison Chart
The Provincial Policy Statement (1997) was replaced in March of 2005 with the Provincial Policy Statement (2005) this chart compares key policies from both documents.
Case Study - Draft Plan of Subdivision
A case study from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Municipal Plan Review workshops, on the identification and assessment of Provincial Interests as articulated in the Planning Act and the Provincial Policy Statement. How many can you identify?
Greenbelt, Oak Ridges Moraine and Places to Grow
Supporting the Greenbelt Plan: Planning Act Tools
Greenbelt Municipal Training Presentations
The ministry delivered municipal training on the Greenbelt Plan. The presentations from these sessions are linked below as PDF documents:
- Building a Greenbelt – Part 1 Overview
- Building a Greenbelt – Part 2 Agricultural
- Building a Greenbelt – Part 3 Natural Heritage
- Decision Making
- Implementation
- Provincial and Municipal Roles and Responsibilities
Greenbelt Transition Chart
This job aid shows the moratorium period established through the Greenbelt Act, as well as the transition provisions for planning applications to either conform with or are exempt from the Act, referenced by the date they were commenced.
Places To Grow Municipal Training Presentations
In Fall 2006 the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure delivered municipal training of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The presentations from these sessions are linked below as PDF documents:
- Building the Growth Plan
- The Act and Transition Regulation
- Where and How to grow
- Infrastructure to Support Growth
- Growth Plan – Next Steps
Brownfields
Environmental Regulations and Standards
- Protecting the Environment: Implementing Amendments to O. Reg. 153/04
- Understanding Brownfields Standards
- Understanding Risk Assessment
- A Guide on Site Assessment the Cleanup of Brownfield Sites and the Filing of Records of Site Condition NB: Document is current only until June 30, 2011
Financing a Brownfield Project
- Municipal Incentives to encourage Brownfield development
- Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program
One Window and Municipal Plan Review
The ministry delivered training refresher workshops on One Window Provincial Planning Service and Municipal Plan Review during the spring of 2011 for internal and partner ministry staff.
The ministry delivered municipal training on the One Window Planning Service & Municipal Plan Review in the spring of 2008.
- What's New in Planning?
- One Window Planning and Municipal Plan Review Introduction
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Technical Studies
- Land Information
Environmental Issues and Planning
Building Strong Communities: Municipal Strategies for Cleaner Air
This Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing publication describes the kinds of creative, global policy approaches and tools municipalities are using to reduce the negative impact of development on air quality. Building Strong Communities: Ontario Case Studies for Cleaner Air
Planning for Climate Change This publication documents case studies of some of the innovative programs Ontario municipalities have put in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and airborne pollutants.
General Planning
The ABC’s of Planning: a two-part overview of the planning system in Ontario presented by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing at the Association of Municipalities on Ontario's municipal councillor training workshops.
Part I - The Planning Framework: View the presentation
Take the quiz
Planning Act Tools to Support Intensification & Sustainability
Job Aid for Planning Act tools to support intensification and sustainability
This InfoSheet provides an overview of Planning Act tools that can help municipalities link good community design with economic growth and competitiveness.
This InfoSheet provides an overview of key Planning Act tools that municipalities can use to facilitate and direct land use intensification through compact form, increased density, redevelopment and infill.
Transit-Supportive Land Use Planning
This InfoSheet provides an overview of key Planning Act tools that municipalities can use to support and facilitate transit-supportive land use planning and development.
Municipal Tools for Planning and Development Series
Municipal Tools for Planning
A series of short, information sheets on a variety of Planning topics, like land use policies and wind energy, planning for barrier free access and business improvement areas.
- Reviewing Plans of Subdivision for Accessibility
- Planning for Barrier-Free Municipalities
- Tax Increment-Based Financing
- Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)
Not sure who makes planning decisions in Ontario, or what the OMB does? The Ministry has a frequently asked questions related to Land Use Planning page that might help you get started.
Community Improvement Planning Handbook
This handbook is intended to inform and assist municipalities and others interested in community improvement planning under section 28 of the Planning Act.
