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The focus of ministry activities during 2004-2005 was on policy development and stakeholder consultation for ministry-led government commitments, including the creation of a one million acre greenbelt area in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, residential tenancy reform, amendments to the Planning Act (including reform of the Ontario Municipal Board) and the government’s strong communities agenda.

MAH’s policy development demonstrated the government’s commitment to democratic renewal.  During the year, the ministry established a reputation for conducting innovative and effective public consultations as part of the policy development process.

Local Government/Urban Affairs

To help achieve the government’s priority of stronger, safer communities, MAH examined whether municipalities have the tools to meet their needs.  In particular, the ministry took the following steps:

• conducted a review of the Municipal Act to help all municipalities achieve greater self-sufficiency and the tools they need to chart their community’s future in a meaningful way.
• began a joint review with the City of Toronto of the City of Toronto Act to provide the city with a modernized legislative framework commensurate with Toronto’s responsibilities, size and significance in Ontario;
• initiated a review of governance issues in the Regional Municipalities of Peel to bring stability and fairer representation to Peel Region.

The ministry moved forward on its commitments to meaningful consultation with the municipal sector on matters of mutual interest.  In June, the ministry introduced legislation to recognize the Province’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on consultation with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. The MOU itself was further strengthened in August when the ministry signed an agreement with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario that gives municipalities a say in federal-provincial negotiations that directly affect municipalities.  

The ministry provided emergency financial assistance to the victims of the July 2004 Peterborough flood.  More than $22 million in provincial assistance was provided for flood recovery and infrastructure repair.

During the year, ministry legislation recognizing the bilingual character of the City of Ottawa was passed by the legislature.  The legislation requires that the administration of the City of Ottawa and the provision of municipal services to the public be done pursuant to bilingual policies adopted by Ottawa City Council.

Land Use Planning

MAH worked to reduce urban sprawl and protect greenspace, and give municipalities the means to manage their own growth through new legislation and legislative reforms. 

The greenbelt area consists of environmentally-sensitive and agricultural lands in the Golden Horseshoe area of southcentral Ontario, including the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Niagara Escarpment.  In February 2005, the government took two steps to protect the greenbelt:  first, the Greenbelt Act 2005, which protects key Golden Horseshoe lands, was proclaimed into law.  Second, the government announced a greenbelt plan to permanently protect more than one million new acres of green space and farmland, and prevent developers from forcing unwanted municipal expansion.

MAH also signed a land exchange agreement to protect more than 1,000 acres of environmentally important Oak Ridges Moraine lands in Richmond Hill.  As part of the agreement, work has begun on a development plan for the North Pickering lands being given to Richmond Hill landowners in the exchange agreement. 

MAH also began working with local governments in the Simcoe County area to develop an action plan that would address concerns about population growth and development pressures and help area municipalities plan for the future.

In November 2004, the legislature passed the Strong Communities Act 2004.  This reform to the Planning Act will prevent applications for urban boundary expansions from being appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board if municipal councils refuse to approve them, or do not make a decision in a specific period.  It also strengthens the language of the Planning Act to require planning decisions to be “consistent with” matters of provincial interest, rather than just “have regard to” provincial interests.  These measures support the government’s commitment to protect the environment and curb urban sprawl.

A new Provincial Policy Statement came into effect in March 2005, after the ministry conducted a review and public consultation. The new policy statement  provides direction on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development, and promotes the provincial “policy-led” planning system. It fulfills the government’s commitment to provide strong, clear policy direction on land-use planning to promote strong communities, a clean and healthy environment, and a strong economy.

The ministry also continued to promote development of former industrial lands in urban areas known as brownfields and supported the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal on the development of the government’s Places to Grow  strategy.

Housing

During 2004-05, the ministry worked to further the government’s commitments to build more affordable housing and provide greater protection for tenants.

The ministry is responsible for rent regulation and resolving disputes between landlords and tenants through its agency, the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal. During 2004, MAH consulted extensively with landlords and tenants on residential tenancy reform.

In June, amendments to the Tenant Protection Act, 1997 were enacted into law.  The amendments removed a two per cent base from the annual rent increase guideline, thus protecting tenants from high rent increases.  Removal of the two per cent base provided a “time out” while the government continued to consult with tenants and landlords on new legislation to replace the Tenant Protection Act, 1997.

The ministry took steps to achieve more affordable housing.  MAH worked to increase the supply of new affordable units, maintain the supply of existing units and reduce economic evictions of low-income tenants.  In particular:

• MAH implemented a $10 million Rent Bank program, administered by municipalities, that will eventually provide assistance to 7,000 low-income households.  This will enable low-income families to pay rent arrears and stay in their homes.
• Through the existing $50 million Strong Communities Rent Supplement program, the ministry’s target of 1,000 additional households assisted was more than doubled.
• The government also committed $3.6 million for a pilot program to help people find an affordable place to live by making existing rental housing more affordable. The Strong Communities Housing Allowance Program –Toronto Pilot will maximize the use of vacant rental housing by providing housing allowances to about 400 low-income households over five years.
• Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal, negotiations with the federal government for a new Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing program were successfully completed. It was anticipated that a new agreement would be signed early 2005-06. The program will assist the government in meeting the commitment to create almost 20,000 new housing units for needy Ontario families.

Rural Development

The ministry conducted consultations throughout summer 2004 to develop Ontario’s first rural plan.  Released in November, Strong Rural Communities Working Together for Success is a framework for positive change in rural communities.  The plan offers strategies to address priorities such as boosting economic development and infrastructure needs in rural communities.

Through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program, the ministry provided $5.7 million in funding to local economic development projects that leveraged $26.6 million in private sector funding.

Together with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal, the ministry negotiated an agreement with the federal government to provide significant funding for public infrastructure improvements in small urban and rural municipalities.   The new program, entitled the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) was launched in November.  With municipal investments, this program is expected to stimulate up to $900 million in infrastructure investments over five years to help meet local priorities.

Building Regulation

MAH administers the Building Code Act, 1992 and the Ontario Building Code. This helps to ensure the public has confidence that buildings in Ontario are safe and the Building Code is consistently and effectively applied by industry and the municipal enforcement community.  The ministry continued to partner with other ministries and stakeholders to administer this legislation.  As well, the ministry worked toward development of a new Ontario Building Code planned for release in 2006.

The ministry continued to focus on the implementation of the Building Code Statute Law Amendment Act, 2002 which seeks to improve safety in new building construction and building renovation in Ontario. The new act came into effect in 2003-04. 

Table A-4:  Ministry Expenditures