ERO 025-0462 Submission:…

ERO 025-0462 Submission: Bill 17 and the Impact on Public Consultation and Appeals - submitted June 5, 2025.
I am writing to express concerns regarding Bill 17 and its proposed changes to the Planning Act and City of Toronto Act, 2006. The limitation of public consultation and restricting appeals in the planning and development processes undermines local democratic participation and transparency.
Bill 17 gives the Minister new powers to regulate what studies and materials can or cannot be required as part of a “complete application” for development proposals. Through years of healthy development, our municipality requires studies including green standards - energy efficiency, tree management, storm water runoff, heritage, shadowing, etc. These provide valuable information to the municipality and the public to ensure a progressive and livable community now and in the future. Without these studies, municipalities and the public will have fewer tools to assess the potential consequences of new developments. The removal of key studies that assess environmental impact, urban aesthetics, or infrastructure limits the municipalities and public’s knowledge base to raise concerns informing better development plans.
In addition to Bill 17’s implications, Bill 5 will further silence municipal and public priorities. Bill 5 limits the scope for public consultation, especially in terms of fast-tracking developments. Together these Bills reduce local control to influence decisions that affect them directly. Centralizing decision making at the provincial level by those who do not understand the nuanced needs of communities undermines the public’s role in shaping their own neighbourhoods.
While streamlining approval processes and accelerating development are critical to quickly build housing and infrastructure, public participation and environmental oversight need not be compromised. How we build impacts where we want to live. Building quickly without local input can lead to undesirable communities – take note of the ‘too small’ condos which are left unrentable in Toronto. I urge the government to reconsider Bill 17’s limitations on public consultation and the ability to request key studies. Ontario’s development policies should balance efficiency with transparency, community involvement, and environmental sustainability. Only by including multiple voices in decision-making can we ensure development benefits all Ontarians, now and in the future.
Recommendations
Streamline the Application Process with Safeguards: Speed up the planning application process through coordination of concurrent activities while ensuring public consultation and environmental assessments remain integral to decision-making.
Clear, Predictable Guidelines: Maintain consistent, transparent guidelines for developers across municipalities, ensuring that developments align with local needs and community values. Where appropriate, processes and forms should be standardized across municipalities by sharing best practices.
Support for Affordable Housing: Continue to make it easier to build residential units and expand housing options, focusing on affordability, while ensuring developments are environmentally responsible.