WHEREAS on April 10, 2024,…

WHEREAS on April 10, 2024, the Province of Ontario released for comment the proposed 2023 Provincial Planning Statement and Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024; and

WHEREAS The Township of The Archipelago is a rural water access municipality, located within a UNESCO designated biosphere – the Georgian Bay Biosphere/Mindoo Gamii; and

WHEREAS Council for the Township of The Archipelago has reviewed the proposed changes and has raised concerns with respect to the following:

The elimination of third party appeals to municipally approved official plans, official plan amendments, zoning by-laws and zoning by-law amendments.
The elimination of the requirement to pre-consult on planning applications prior to submitting.
The continuation of supporting growth within rural areas and removing the requirement for it to be “locally appropriate”.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council for the Township of The Archipelago direct staff to submit comments to the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) in response to the proposed Provincial Planning Statement 2024 and Bill 185, supporting the Township of The Archipelago’s strategic priorities and Official Plan policies to protect and preserve the natural environment and rural waterfront recreational character within the Township of The Archipelago.