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. 139 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 8149-25. 

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. 139 contains detailed land use policies to support implementation of various Strategic Growth Areas in the Town.  

If approved, proposed OPA No. 139 will apply to the following areas: 

Dundas Street Rapid Transit Corridor, as shown on Schedule D of OPA No.139;   

Brock/Taunton Major Urban Central Area; 

Dundas East Urban Central Area; 

Rossland/Garden Urban Central Area;  

and select sections of Intensification Corridors, as shown on Schedule B of OPA No.139.