Ontario has launched a new Provincial Policy Statement, changing the rules for land use planning across the province.
Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, was in Quinte West on Friday to launch the new Provincial Policy Statement (PPS). New rules for land use planning in Ontario will guide decision-making to manage growth and development, while protecting the environment, public health and safety, Clark said.
Changes to the PPS were influenced by feedback from municipalities, stakeholders and the public. The changes will:
- give municipalities greater flexibility and control over local decision-making to support new housing and economic development
- encourage more and different types of housing
- help ensure an adequate supply of land on which to build more housing.
The Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 will come into effect on May 1, 2020.
The Greenbelt, however, will continue to be protected for future generations.
“We are making it easier for families to find homes that meet their needs and their budgets in vibrant, thriving communities,” said Minister Clark. “Over the past 15 years, home ownership and housing that is affordable have become out of reach for far too many people and our government is taking decisive steps to change that.”
Municipalities will have flexible land–use planning tools to create the right mix of housing development and business opportunities.
“Our government has listened to our municipal partners. We will continue to work alongside them to develop an environment that fosters continued economic growth and prosperity,“ said Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Bay of Quinte.
The Provincial Policy Statement was updated following a 90-day consultation with municipalities and stakeholders including development and business, aggregates and resources, agriculture, environment and planning sectors, as well as the public. The government also undertook direct engagement with Indigenous communities.
“It is evident that they are listening and giving us more flexibility and control over local decision-making to support new housing and economic development,” said Jim Harrison, Mayor of Quinte West.
In addition to updating the PPS, the government is continuing consultations on the new community benefits charge that will provide a new way for municipalities to fund community benefits, such as parks, daycares and affordable housing, making the costs of building homes more predictable and ensuring that growth continues to pay for growth. Feedback is due by March 30, 2020.
“As the collective voice of Ontario’s public libraries, the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) applauds the Ontario Government’s proposal to include public library capital costs as a fully cost-recoverable eligible service under the Development Charges Act,” said Julie Merritt, Chair of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries.
“We welcome the Ontario Government’s unequivocal recognition of the role that public libraries perform as critical community infrastructure in municipalities of all sizes across the province, and the importance of ensuring that municipalities are able to collect the development charges needed to help maintain strong, sustainable public libraries for current and future residents alike.”
As a part of More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan, the government committed to reviewing the PPS and the way municipalities collect funds for community benefits, such as parks, daycares and affordable housing, in growing communities.
Updates announced last week align with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan and recommendations from the province’s Special Advisor on Flooding.