The proposed amendment to…

The proposed amendment to the Planning Act to allow a Minister’s zoning order (MZO) not to have to be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), and to permit existing MZOs not to be consistent with the PPS, even though this would not apply to lands within the Greenbelt Area, is giving too much power to the Minister.

This change would represent excessive power at the provincial level, at the expense of consistent, cohesive planning.

The PPS sets a framework for land use planning, building strong and healthy communities, and managing resources wisely, including managing the consumption and use of land. If there is a need to modify the PPS, and thus official plans, it should be done in a thoughtful, planned manner, with the engagement of local municipalities. Cities and urban centres contribute to Canada's GDP. Cities help boost Ontario's economic competitiveness, and ought to have more control and involvement in planning, and especially the planning of major infrastructure.

In Ontario, we need to have a cohesive planning system that is not subject to change unexpectedly.

Ontario's infrastructure, homes, employment areas, open spaces, and agricultural land are vital to the success of cities and the economy. As such, it is essential that the province's planning control system supports municipal priorities. Municipal council decision-making, which operates in consistency with the PPS and in conformity with provincial plans, ensures that planning and land use decisions respect local and regional goals, targets, and needs. This keeps our economy competitive and our infrastructure capacity supportive of people and jobs.

Expediting decisions through MZOs does not equate the outcome of sustainable planning.

Thank you for considering my comment against this change to the Planning Act, which gives excessive power to the Minister, for the reasons stated above.