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MAH Community Planning Quick Links

Planning Act & PPS

Greenbelt & Oak Ridges Moraine

Brownfields

One Window & Municipal Plan Review

Environmental Issues

General Planning

Other Resources


Key to page icons  Grey button with images of all of the page icons on it

Cartoon character Merlin

New from MMAH: E-learning Cartoon character Lernym

The Ministry Of Municipal Affairs and Housing is introducing e-learning as a new self-paced, 24/7 educational tool. E-learning modules (ELM) test your knowledge about ministry initiatives and legislation, provide instant feedback and ensure user anonymity.

Click here to see all of the Ministry's e-learning modules related to Community Planning and text versions.

Planning Act and PPS

What is the PPS? E-learning icon
An overview of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005 (PPS, 2005) and some examples of the application of the PPS, 2005 in the land use planning process.

The "What is the PPS?" module takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

Using Land Efficiently E-learning icon
Enhance your understanding of the new PPS policies pertaining to compact form, intensification and redevelopment. 

The "Intensification" module takes approximately 20-25 minutes to complete.

“Shall be Consistent with”E-learning icon

This is the first in the series of e-learning modules on key aspects of the Ontario land use planning system.  It will assist planners, municipal councillors and staff, developers and interested citizens understand the new “Shall be consistent with” standard of the Planning Act.

The “Shall be consistent with” module takes pproximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

PPS Comparison ChartJob Aid Icon
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.

Planning Act Before and After ChartJob Aid Icon
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 ChecklistJob Aid Icon
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 51 Municipal Training PresentationsPresentation iconPhoto of tall buildings and the sky 

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:

Bill 26 and PPS Municipal Training PresentationsPresentation icon
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:

Case Study - Draft Plan of SubdivisionKnowledge Review icon
A case study from MAH 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

Photo of a road through the trees and the word Greenbelt

Greenbelt Transition ChartJob Aid Icon
This job aid shows the moratorium period established through the Greenbelt Act which planning matters, by date, shall conform to the Greenbelt Plan.

Greenbelt Municipal Training PresentationsPresentation icon
The ministry delivered municipal training on the Greenbelt Plan. The presentations from these sessions are linked below as PDF documents:

Places To Grow Municipal Training PresentationsPresentation icon In Fall 2006 the ministry, with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Renewal delivered municipal training on the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The presentations from these sessions are linked below as PDF documents:

Brownfields Photo of an old, brick  industrial building 

Brownfield Redevelopment in Small Urban and Rural MunicipalitiesOther Educational Resources icon
Explains process requirements, program opportunities and economic development potential for brownfields in small urban and rural communities.

Brownfields Showcase II: A publicationOther Educational Resources icon by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to help give municipalities insight into how they might approach brownfields redevelopment within the context of their economic-development goals. View/print document in PDF format:
    Part 1
    Part 2
    Part 3
    Part 4 
    Part 5

One Window & Municipal Plan Review

One Window Planning & Municipal Plan Review - Roles and Responsibilities
A MAH presentationPresentation icon clarifying the roles and relationships of the province and municipalities in the Ontario land use planning system. 

Environmental Issues and Planning

photograph of commuter train from above

Building Strong Communities: Municipal Strategies for Cleaner Air Practical Applications Icon
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.

Building Strong Communities: Ontario Case Studies for Cleaner Air Practical Applications Icon
This MAH publication describes the kinds of creative, global policy approaches and tools municipalities are using to reduce the negative impact of development on air quality.

General Planning

The ABC’s of Planning: a two-part overview of the planning system in Ontario presented by MAH at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s municipal councillor training workshops. 

Municipal Tools for Planning and Development SeriesOther Educational Resources icon
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.

Not sure who makes planning decisions in Ontario, or what the OMB does? The Ministry has a frequently asked questions related to Land Use PlanningFrequently Asked Question icon page that might help you get started.

Community Improvement Planning HandbookOther Educational Resources icon
This handbook is intended to inform and assist municipalities and others interested in community improvement planning under section 28 of the planning Act.