Please be advised that…

Please be advised that Council of the Township of Clearview, at its meeting held on May 29, 2023, passed a resolution regarding the Proposed Provincial Planning Statement 2023:
Moved by Councillor Walker, Seconded by Councillor McArthur, That Report PB-031-2023 from the Director of Planning & Building regarding the Proposed Provincial Planning Statement 2023 dated May 29, 2023 be received; and,
Whereas the goal of increasing housing supply and reducing barriers in planning processes as set out in the recent legislative, regulatory and policy changes, including new provisions from Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 is welcomed in balance with the protection of all other matters of Provincial Interest;
Whereas the proposed PPS would dramatically remove municipal power and renders aspects of the Township Official Plan, and other official plans throughout Ontario inoperative, terminating some local planning autonomy, and directly interfering with municipalities' ability to meet local variation and unique community needs;
Whereas the proposed PPS changes that would allow proliferation of lots outside of settlement areas only diminishes the purpose, uses, and integrity of rural and agricultural lands, thereby impairing the vitality of rural settlement areas, Ontario’s food system and the agricultural economy;
Whereas the proposed PPS changes encourage sprawl and rural strip development, rather than more fiscally and environmentally sustainable practices like intensification in established settlement areas; and
Whereas the province has announced changes will be proposed to natural heritage that have yet to be published;
Therefore Be It Resolved That the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Clearview urges the province to:
- reconsider proposed changes to the PPS, particularly regarding natural heritage (section 4.1) and agricultural lands (sections 2.6 and 4.3),
- reinvest trust in the local planning authority of all 444 municipalities, recognizing that each Ontario municipality has unique landscapes, different housing needs and differing visions for local planning matters;
That our fellow municipalities and all ratepayers be urged to voice their concerns regarding the proposed undermining of local planning authority;
And Further That a copy of this staff report be sent to The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, The Hon. Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; The Hon. Lisa Thompson, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, The Hon. David Piccini, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Simcoe-Grey MPP, Brian Saunderson, Simcoe-Grey MP, Terry Dowdall, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the County of Simcoe, and be posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Motion Carried.
As outlined in the above resolution, please find enclosed a copy of Clearview Township Staff Report PB-031-2023 - Proposed Provincial Planning Statement 2023. If you have any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.