Buried in Bill 257,…

Buried in Bill 257, Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021, is a proposal to allow Minister's Zoning Orders (MZOs) to override legal and policy protections for farmland and natural heritage features and areas across Ontario. If the changes go forward, lands currently protected under the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) would become vulnerable to development at the whim of the Minister (Municipal Affairs and Housing), without public consultation or any opportunity for appeal.

MZOs are a tool that the government is using with unprecedented frequency to fast-track development. Conservation and agricultural organizations are united in their opposition to this misuse of MZOs which sidestep community consultation and local planning processes. At risk are the many benefits provided by Ontario’s farmland and natural heritage features and areas, including flood control, local food, water purification, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, recreational opportunities and much more.

Schedule 3 of Bill 257 aims to amend the Planning Act so that MZOs would no longer have to be consistent with the PPS. This would strike at the very foundation of Ontario’s comprehensive, integrated land use planning framework. The provincial government would be allowed to override – without fear of repercussion – strict protections for significant wetlands, woodlands and other wildlife habitat. Citizens would have no recourse through the courts to challenge MZOs that would shape the future of their communities.

Further, the Schedule 3 changes would apply retroactively to any existing MZOs. Where an MZO has violated PPS policies, it would be deemed to be legal after the fact.

This is insane and our democracy is being undermined by hiding Schedule 3 in this Bill!
I am firmly against these proposed changes through the Environmental Registry (ERO #019-3233) and demand that Schedule 3 be removed from Bill 257.