In general, I support the…

In general, I support the consolidation of these two documents into a new province-wide planning policy instrument. The key will be maintaining the broad strategic principles of the Provincial Policy Statement, while not watering down the specific guidance and schedules provided in the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

I would also emphasize that the details of Schedules 2 (Place to Grow Concept) and 4-6 (Growth Centres, Moving People and Goods) that needs to be expanded province-wide. The COVID-19 pandemic and the current housing crisis has shown us how global and national factors can have a huge influence on how and where people live and work, and how that can result in significant shifts of residency and employment from the Greater Golden Horseshoe to the rest of the province. We need a bigger scope to manage and plan for growth in all parts of the province to account for this. It would also ensure all parts of the province can benefit from this specific planning direction on the core elements of a residential land supply, an attainable housing supply and mix, growth management, environment and natural resources, and community infrastructure.