(Comment at bottom.) From…

(Comment at bottom.)

From your posting:
"Policy Statements and Minister’s Decisions
* changes are proposed to the Planning Act to make provincial policy statements inapplicable with respect to all Minister’s decisions, including past decisions, under the Planning Act outside the Greenbelt Area. A transparent and accountable oversight framework would be developed to support implementation
* the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) is issued under section 3 of the Planning Act and sets out provincial land use policy direction related to growth and development. Subsection 3(5) of the Act requires that decisions affecting a planning matter “shall be consistent with” PPS policies
* the proposed change would facilitate the use of multiple Minister’s authorities on individual priority provincial projects outside the Greenbelt Area, to support faster government decision-making in support of housing, growth, investment and jobs
*it would provide the Minister with the same flexibility provided for in 2021 (for MZOs outside the Greenbelt Area) in respect of other planning decisions outside the Greenbelt Area
...
Impact on the Environment
The proposed legislative changes are anticipated to have a neutral impact on the environment by streamlining the process to develop on lands designated for development, while maintaining protections for areas such as the Greenbelt and continuing to restrict development on hazardous lands."

Comment:

These two statements don't go together. MZO's are already not real planning (and they shouldn't be made any easier!). Why even have a PPS in the first place??? It's policy, not guidance. Being above the law (making it a law for everyone but the government) is not "streamlining". A clear transparent and accountable oversight framework already exists.

The problem is that municipalities don't plan properly.. and end up having to amend and change their plan and zoning unnecessarily because their planning work was an exercise they went through to get it done. When done properly, all they need to do is stick with their plan.. THAT'S IT. But they, and the developers, refuse to do so. Perhaps the other posting on making OPs more consistent will help them spend more time thinking about the future (aka planning).

If the provincial government puts itself above the law (once again), it can have nothing but negative impacts on public and the environment. The government is responsible for looking out for the public interest, not the interests of individual people, businesses, or corporations at specific locations. Public interest includes the environment in which we live.

Everywhere in Ontario is just as important as the Greenbelt when it comes to good planning.. or you also mentioned areas "such as the Greenbelt".. are there other unlisted examples? Either way, you won't maintain the environmental protections of the PPS outside those areas. This is alarming. You are introducing a bad precedent and potential for unfairness. Also potential for confusion and delay.

This is outrageous, really... Do not move forward with this part of the proposal please. Thanks.