Town of Smiths Falls - Approval of a municipality’s official plan

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing received an application from the Town of Smiths Falls for approval of a new Official Plan, which was adopted by By-Law No. 10722-2026 on September 28, 2026. The new Official Plan, undertaken as a Section 26 statutory review under the Planning Act, will replace the Town’s existing Official Plan which was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on September 10, 2015. The new Official Plan was developed to be consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024, and has a planning horizon to the year 2051. 

The new Official Plan will be reviewed for consistency with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 and to ensure it has regard for matters of provincial interest as set out in the Planning Act. This includes orderly development of safe and healthy communities, adequate provision of a full range of housing, protection of a natural heritage system and features, and protection of human health and safety when considering development applications. 

The new Town of Smiths Falls Official Plan is now before the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for a decision in accordance with sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act. As set out in subsection 17 (36.5) and (38.1) of the Planning Act, the decision of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on a new Official Plan adopted under section 26 is final and not subject to appeal. 

If approved, the new Official Plan would apply to the entirety of lands within the Town of Smiths Falls.