RE: Review of proposed…

RE: Review of proposed policies adapted from A Place to Grow and Provincial Policy Statement to form a new provincial planning policy instrument (ERO number 019-6813)

On behalf of the City of Toronto, we are pleased to submit the City’s comments and recommended revisions to the policy changes contained in the proposed Provincial Planning Statement. We understand that the proposed changes by the Province are made with the intended outcome of improving the lives of Ontarians by increasing housing supply. We commend your efforts in this regard. However, housing supply needs to also include leadership on the delivery of affordable housing and ensure that the livability of the Region is maintained or enhanced.

At its meeting of June 14th-15th, 2023, Toronto City Council considered the staff report (Attachments 1 to 2) and adopted the recommendations which address the feedback being requested through the ERO posting. The Decision History (Attachment 3) is enclosed that contains the adopted recommendations, together with the written communications from interested individuals submitted for City Council’s consideration (Attachment 4).

The City has concerns with the proposed policy changes and these concerns are articulated in the enclosed Staff Report, in particular the fundamental changes to the growth management framework that has guided development and infrastructure investments across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The proposed repeal of the Growth Plan would treat the region generally the same as any other part of the Province despite it being home to 70% of Ontarians. Virtually all the foundational policies have been eliminated and the overall policy intent of establishing a regional plan to coordinate planning, resource and infrastructure management efforts has been abandoned.

It is our contention that the wholesale changes contained in the proposed Provincial Planning Statement are not necessary or needed, as they would replace the predictability and comprehensiveness of the current system in favour of a system that encourages one-off decision making and increased land-use speculation.

The City remains committed to working with the Province and other municipal partners to ensure
that the housing needs of our communities are met without compromising agricultural lands, employment areas, the health of the natural environment, and the investments in infrastructure made over the past several decades. City staff welcome the opportunity to work with Provincial staff and other municipal partners to assist in refining the proposed policies as there is a potential that they may not, when operationalized, achieve the intended outcomes.