The Ontario Government…

The Ontario Government should rescind Bill 17 due to the following reasons:

The province sets out overarching planning goals in the Planning Act, RSO 1990, c P13
(“Planning Act”), including to “promote sustainable economic development”.8 All planning
decisions shall have regard to matters of provincial interest, including:
(a) the protection of ecological systems, including natural areas, features and functions
Submission from CELA - 4
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(c) the conservation and management of natural resources and the mineral resource base;
…
(e) the supply, efficient use and conservation of energy and water;
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(h) the orderly development of safe and healthy communities;
…
(o) the protection of public health and safety;
(p) the appropriate location of growth and development;
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(r) the promotion of built form that,
Submission from CELA - 4
…
(c) the conservation and management of natural resources and the mineral resource base;
…
(e) the supply, efficient use and conservation of energy and water;
…
(h) the orderly development of safe and healthy communities;
…
(o) the protection of public health and safety;
(p) the appropriate location of growth and development;
…
(r) the promotion of built form that,
(i) is well-designed,
(ii) encourages a sense of place, and
(iii) provides for public spaces that are of high quality, safe, accessible, attractive
and vibrant;
(s) the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to a changing climate.9
Likewise, the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 (“PPS”) sets clear goals for municipalities
and all planning authorities to address climate change and other environmental harms. In Policy
2.9, Energy Conservation, Air Quality and Climate Change, planning authorities “shall plan” to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of a changing climate, including
approaches that:
a) support the achievement of compact, transit-supportive, and complete communities;
b) incorporate climate change considerations in planning for and the development of
infrastructure, including stormwater management systems, and public service facilities;
c) support energy conservation and efficiency;
d) promote green infrastructure, low impact development, and active transportation,
protect the environment and improve air quality; and
e) take into consideration any additional approaches that help reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and build community resilience to the impacts of a changing climate.10
The province should ensure that municipalities have the tools they need to meet these mandatory
requirements of the PPS and can address the impacts of climate change on our communities.

Further details are included in the attached document. Again, I urge the government to rescind this bill and ensure that municipalities have the tools they need to meet the requirements of the PPS, and address climate change which will be so damaging to our communities if this bill stands.