Submitted by Ron Warne, MCIP…

Submitted by Ron Warne, MCIP, RPP
Director of Planning, Development & Engineering
Kawartha Conservation

The proposed changes to facilitate the zoning of land utilizing a MZO in a manner that deemed to never have been required to be consistent with policy statements, is contrary to the purposes of the Planning Act and disregards the purpose and intent of the practice of contemporary land use planning in the Province of Ontario. As the Minister’s statement of provincial policy (PPS, 2020) stresses, Ontario’s long-term prosperity, environmental health and social well-being depend on development and planning decisions that lead to strong and healthy communities, wise use and management of resources and public health and safety that is protected. These are the suite of public interest considerations that the Province and corresponding Minister has been entrusted with in the administration of the Planning Act, and similarly have been bound-by since the policy statement concept was enacted in 1983.

These considerations should apply for all lands in Ontario, as good land use planning outcomes are needed across the entire landscape of the province. We are pleased however, that the importance of the Greenbelt has been recognized as an important area of the Province.

There are no public notice or appeal provisions associated with the current MZO power; similarly, the MZO power can override all previously agreed municipal plans and associated public and agency consultation. It is therefore critical that a transparent set of public-interest policies guide the Minister in decision-making, as is currently required by the Act.