There is no requirement to post this notice on the Environmental Registry of Ontario, but we wanted to hear your thoughts. Thank you for your feedback.
This consultation was open from:
October 25, 2024
to November 24, 2024
Decision summary
On July 17, 2025, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing filed a Minister's Zoning Order with the Registrar of Regulations as Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 158/25 in the Town of Innisfil. Gateway Casinos Innisfil requested that the Minister consider making the Zoning Order.
Decision details
A Zoning Order, made pursuant to clause 47(1)(a) of the Planning Act, regulates the use of the land and the erection, location and use of any building or structure on the land. The Minister's Zoning Order was made based on a request from the Town of Innisfil.
O. Reg. 158/25 applies to approximately 10.2 hectares of land at 255 Reive Blvd in the Town of Innisfil. See Location Map below.
O. Reg. 158/25 permits a casino in addition to the hotel, restaurants and other commercial uses permitted under the Town’s zoning by-law on the subject lands. O. Reg. 158/25 also provides some relief from the Town’s zoning by-law with respects to maximum building heights, permissions of patios in any yard, minimum parking spaces, minimum loading spaces and minimum landscaped open space requirements.
The purpose of the MZO is to help facilitate the relocation of Gateway Casinos Innisfil from its current location at Georgian Downs to the subject lands. This requested MZO was supported by the Council of the Town of Innisfil.
The map referenced in this MZO (Map 369) zones the flood hazard and a 30-metre buffer from the watercourse on the subject lands as “Environmental Protection” and does not permit the casino or any other commercial tourist uses in that portion of the property.
Pursuant to the subsection 47(4) of the Planning Act, and except for the purposes of section 24, the Minister deemed this zoning order to be a by-law passed by the council of the Town of Innisfil.
Effects of consultation
The Ministry received one submission through the registry from Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA), which noted there the subject lands were subject to flooding and the limit of these hazardous lands were in the process of being confirmed with the Town and Gateway Casino. NVCA specifically requested that any MZO issued for the subject lands only permit development on those lands determined to be outside of any flooding hazard and committed to providing the Ministry the mapping of the limits of development once confirmed. The Ministry received confirmation from the NVCA and Gateway Casino that the flood hazard limits have been determined through an updated study and that the casino and other buildings can and will be located the outside this hazard. The NVCA further confirmed with the Ministry they are comfortable with the issuance of the MZO.
In response to NVCA’s comments, the MZO maps the hazard and a 30-m buffer from the watercourse based on current mapping informed by updated studies accepted by the NVCA, Town and Gateway Casino as an “environmental protection” zone and directs buildings and structures (e.g., the casino) away from this area.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
12th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
mmahzoningorders@ontario.ca
12th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Original proposal
Why consultation isn't required
Part II of the Environmental Bill of Rights Act, 1993 does not apply to proposals to make a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) under subsection 47(1) of the Planning Act, or to amend or revoke an MZO under subsection 47(8) of the Planning Act.
Although not required, the ministry is providing public notice of this request for consultation.
Proposal details
A Minister’s Zoning Order, made pursuant to clause 47(1)(a) of the Planning Act, regulates the use of land and the erection, location and use of any building or structure on the land.
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is considering a request from the Town of Innisfil to make a Minister’s Zoning Order at 255 Reive Boulevard in Innisfil. If made, the requested Minister’s Zoning Order would permit a commercial development consisting of a casino and hotel and help facilitate the relocation of Gateway Casinos Innisfil, pending other necessary approvals.
The Subject Lands are approximately 10.2 hectares and are located at the southeast corner of the 2nd Line and Reive Boulevard. They were part of the former Innisfil Creek Golf Course.
To help ensure decisions are made in a transparent manner and support government priorities, the Ministry is seeking feedback on whether this request should be considered and any additional information that may help inform a decision.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
16th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from October 25, 2024
to November 24, 2024
Connect with us
Contact
mmahzoningorders@ontario.ca
12th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
1By email
0By mail
0