Malone Given Parsons Ltd. (…

Malone Given Parsons Ltd. (“MGP”) is the planning consultant for The East Gwillimbury Whitebelt Landowners Group (“EGWLG”), which represents the participating owners of the New DGA Community Area and New DGA Employment Lands (the “Whitebelt Lands”) in the Town of East Gwillimbury.

MGP has reviewed ERO File No. 019-8462, Review of proposed policies for a new provincial planning policy instrument on behalf of the EGWLG and is pleased to provide the following comments on the draft 2024 Provincial Planning Statement (“2024 PPS”) for the Minister’s consideration. We note that the following comments build upon and reiterate previous commentary submitted to the Minister under ERO File No. 019-6813 regarding the 2023 draft Provincial Planning Statement on behalf of the EGWLG.

The EGWLG generally agrees with the policy direction of the new Provincial Planning Statement and the rescinding of A Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The duplication of policy from the former PPS and Growth Plan led to excessive delay and cumbersome study requirements of municipalities and developers in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. While some of the policies of the Growth Plan were helpful in promoting transit-supportive densities in strategic areas, many of the policies of this plan have unnecessarily restricted the supply of housing and the availability of land for development that is required to meet its growth targets.

We generally believe the simplified and consolidated policy framework of the proposed 2024 PPS is appropriate and will encourage the delivery of more housing faster while protecting other important provincial priorities. We are pleased to provide additional detailed comments on the policies of the 2024 PPS in the attached letter.