Town of Whitby - Approval to amend a municipality’s official plan

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is in receipt of the Town of Whitby’s Official Plan Amendment (OPA) No. 138 for a decision, which was adopted by the Town of Whitby’s Council on February 3, 2025, pursuant to sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act by By-law 8148-25.  

The More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23) made changes that removed statutory powers under the Planning Act from seven upper-tier municipalities identified in the legislation. The effective date for Durham Region was January 1, 2025. As such, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is now the approval authority for official plans and official plan amendments for lower-tier municipalities in Durham Region. 

The Ministry will review the matter for consistency and conformity with applicable provincial land use policies and plans and will consider all feedback received before presenting any potential modifications to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for a decision in accordance with section 17 of the Planning Act. 

The proposed OPA No. 138 contains detailed land use policies to support implementation of the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area. If approved, proposed OPA No. 138 will apply to lands within an approximate 500-800m radius of the Whitby GO Station as shown on Schedule A to OPA No. 138.