Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC…

Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) Comments on Ontario Bill 5 – The Get It Done Act

Protecting Natural Heritage through Strong Land Use Planning

Please accept this submission from the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) in response to Ontario Bill 5, The Get It Done Act. The BTC is a non-profit organization committed to preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever, along the Niagara Escarpment – a UNESCO World Biosphere. Our mission is grounded in the protection of ecologically sensitive landscapes and biodiversity in Ontario.

Natural systems like the Niagara Escarpment provide critical ecosystem services to Ontarians, including clean air and water, biodiversity, and protection from climate change impacts such as flooding and extreme weather. The Escarpment is also home to the Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath, and a vital recreational and economic resource for communities across southern Ontario.

Ontario’s land use planning framework, including the Greenbelt Plan, Niagara Escarpment Plan, and conservation authorities, has long been a model for balancing development with environmental protection. Bill 5 introduces several changes that may compromise these protections and undermine Ontario’s natural heritage legacy.

Ministerial Amendments to Municipal Official Plans Without Consultation

Bill 5 grants the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the power to unilaterally amend municipal official plans and planning documents without public consultation. This represents a concerning departure from open, transparent governance and limits the ability of municipalities and residents to shape local land use decisions. It may lead to planning outcomes that conflict with established environmental objectives and regional conservation goals.

Curtailment of Public Appeals at the Ontario Land Tribunal

Limiting who can appeal land use planning decisions diminishes accountability in the development process and restricts the ability of citizens and organizations to raise concerns about projects that may negatively impact natural features, ecological corridors, or species at risk habitat. A reduction in oversight could result in decisions that have long-term negative consequences for Ontario’s landscapes and communities.

Undermining Conservation Authorities’ Role in Environmental Protection

Conservation authorities play a critical role in watershed planning, flood control, and protecting ecosystems. Bill 5 continues the trend of limiting their input in land use decisions, which risks increasing flood damage, habitat loss, and fragmentation of sensitive natural areas. Reducing their authority and expertise in development decisions weakens Ontario’s capacity to respond to environmental challenges.

Erosion of Environmental Planning Frameworks

Bill 5 allows for provincial overrides to foundational planning documents such as the Greenbelt Plan and Niagara Escarpment Plan. These frameworks were developed through decades of science-based research and public engagement to guide growth while protecting Ontario’s most significant natural assets. Weakening or bypassing these plans creates uncertainty and puts high-value conservation lands at risk.

Loss of a Neutral Land Use Facilitator

The proposed elimination of the Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator removes a critical mechanism for resolving complex land disputes. Without this neutral intermediary, municipalities and community groups may struggle to navigate land use challenges, especially those involving environmental or cross-jurisdictional concerns.

Lack of Criteria and Transparency for Priority Projects

Designating "priority projects" for fast-tracked approval without clear criteria or environmental review raises serious concerns about transparency and ecological oversight. This approach could enable projects that undermine conservation goals, impact sensitive species and habitats, and result in significant long-term costs to communities.

Cumulative Environmental Impacts

Bill 5’s combined impacts – reduced oversight, weaker planning protections, limited public input, and a focus on development efficiency – increase the risk of cumulative environmental degradation. Fragmented habitats, species decline, and compromised ecosystem services are all likely outcomes of these legislative changes if enacted without strong environmental safeguards.

Recommendation:

We urge the Government of Ontario to ensure that land use and development decisions continue to be guided by transparent processes, evidence-based planning, and robust environmental oversight. Strengthening rather than weakening conservation and planning frameworks will ensure that Ontario continues to benefit from healthy, resilient natural systems.

We also recommend that any legislative changes affecting land use, planning, or conservation ensure meaningful public and Indigenous engagement, maintain science-based protections, and uphold the precautionary principle in environmental decision-making.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on Bill 5. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with government representatives to further discuss our concerns and recommendations.