Re: Bill 60 – Schedule 10 …

Re: Bill 60 – Schedule 10 (Planning Act Amendments)
Date: November ,2025
ERO NUMBER: 025-1097
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Introduction
The Masonry Council of Ontario (MCO) appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on Schedule 10 of Bill 60, which proposes a series of amendments to the Planning Act. MCO represents Ontario’s masonry manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, and professionals—an industry deeply connected to the strength, sustainability, and long-term resilience of Ontario’s building stock.
We are committed to supporting provincial housing and infrastructure goals through the promotion of durable, low-carbon, made-in-Ontario materials that contribute to safer communities and long-term public value.
General Comments on Schedule 10 Amendments
MCO has reviewed the proposed legislative changes and provides the following feedback:
1. Support for Modernizing the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Framework
MCO supports the proposed changes to the CIP system, including:
• Allowing upper-tier municipalities to designate Community Improvement Project Areas via by-law (new s.28(2.1)).
• Removing the requirement that grants or loans between municipalities for CIP purposes be tied to official plan provisions (amended s.28(7.2)).
• Clarifying transitional rules to ensure existing CIP by-laws remain valid for upper-tier municipalities that have undergone changes in planning responsibility (new s.28(14)).
These amendments modernize and streamline the CIP process, providing municipalities with greater flexibility and autonomy to target community revitalization, housing initiatives, brownfield redevelopment, and local economic development.
Given the role that well-built, resilient housing and infrastructure plays in long-term community improvement, MCO sees these CIP reforms as positive steps toward more efficient local planning and investment.
2. Ensuring the Planning System Supports Sustainable, Durable, Made-in-Ontario Materials
As the province works to accelerate housing delivery and expand infrastructure, MCO emphasizes the importance of ensuring that planning legislation—particularly as Ministerial discretion expands—continues to prioritize material standards that enhance durability, climate resilience, and affordability over the lifespan of buildings.
We encourage the government to:
• Maintain strong alignment between planning instruments and Ontario’s broader climate, safety, and building performance objectives.
• Recognize the value of durable, fire-resistant, energy-efficient, made-in-Ontario masonry products within municipal planning and community improvement tools.
• Ensure that policy mechanisms—such as CIPs, zoning flexibility, and Ministerial zoning orders—do not inadvertently accelerate the use of short-lived or less resilient building materials that impose long-term social and financial costs.
Ontario’s masonry sector is an important contributor to local employment, manufacturing, and supply chain stability. Strengthening the role of durable, locally produced materials in planning policy supports both economic development and long-term housing quality.
3. Broader Changes to Ministerial Authority and Planning Instruments
MCO recognizes that Schedule 10 introduces several amendments that expand Ministerial discretion—for example, limiting the requirement for Ministerial decisions to be consistent with Provincial Policy Statements (s.3(5.1)) and exempting most future Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs) from requirements under Part III of the Legislation Act.
While MCO does not oppose mechanisms that can help expedite critical housing and infrastructure projects, we note that consistency, transparency, and durable building outcomes remain essential, particularly as Ontario significantly expands its built environment. Ensuring decision-making maintains regard for long-term sustainability and local context will be key to avoiding unintended consequences in fast-tracked development.
Conclusion
The Masonry Council of Ontario appreciates the government’s focus on improving the efficiency and responsiveness of Ontario’s planning framework. We are supportive of the proposed enhancements to the CIP system, which will better empower municipalities to address local priorities and community development needs.
As Ontario moves forward with ambitious housing and infrastructure targets, MCO encourages the government to ensure planning legislation continues to reinforce the use of sustainable, resilient, and made-in-Ontario construction materials. These materials are foundational to safe communities, long-term asset durability, and a strong domestic manufacturing sector.
We welcome continued dialogue with the province on how Ontario’s planning and building policies can best support high-quality, future-proofed development across the province.