This consultation was open from:
August 20, 2024
to October 4, 2024
Decision summary
The ministry sought feedback on any planning matters that should be addressed through a transition regulation, under the Planning Act for the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS 2024). The Minister reviewed the feedback and decided no matters required transition for PPS 2024 and will not be prescribing any matters by regulation.
Decision details
Summary of Feedback
From August 20, 2024 to October 4, 2024, the province sought feedback on whether there are any matters that may be necessary or desirable to transition using a Minister’s Regulation under the Planning Act to facilitate the implementation of the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS 2024).
This consultation was posted concurrently on the ERO, and Ontario’s Regulatory Registry (24-MMAH017) for 45 days. All 56 comments submitted through the Environmental Registry of Ontario, Regulatory Registry, or email were reviewed and considered carefully.
The types of matters that were requested for transition include: appeals (municipally-initiated official plan amendments, privately-initiated matters, and matters before the Ontario Land Tribunal); concerns about increased municipal burden (for matters in process or awaiting decision, as all decisions made after the PPS 2024 came into effect must be consistent with it); specific matters involving settlement area boundary expansions; and employment areas and land use compatibility matters.
As a result of the public consultation, the Ministry received a total of 56 submissions: 37 through the ERO, 7 through the Regulatory Registry, and 12 by email. Copies of all comments submitted through the ERO are available for public viewing by contacting the email address listed in this notice.
For details on previous consultations and decisions relating to the PPS 2024, please see Review of proposed policies for a new provincial planning policy instrument (ERO# 019-8462). The Ministry has issued the Provincial Planning Statement, taking effect on October 20, 2024.
Effects of consultation
MMAH considered the input received through this consultation and adopted a consistent approach to assessing submissions, which in turn informed the decision on whether any planning matters should be transitioned as they relate to the application of the PPS 2024.
The Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing is not of the opinion that there are any matters for transition that are necessary or desirable to facilitate the implementation of PPS 2024 policies. Consequently, the Minister has decided to not make a transition regulation under the Planning Act.
The Minister’s decision to not transition any of the requested planning matters is informed, among other things, by the following considerations:
- For any planning matters in process or awaiting decision, including matters before the Ontario Land Tribunal (i.e., at the hearing stage or pending a decision), there are alternative tools, policies and procedures at the disposal of planning authorities to address the matters without the need for a transition regulation. Transitioning of these matters could result in decisions that are not consistent with the PPS 2024 and not consistent with government objectives.
- Consistent with government objectives and the PPS 2024, settlement area boundary expansions can be considered at any time, and therefore transition for such matters is not needed.
- Matters that were not addressed above can be addressed through other tools such as Planning Act provisions that allow for the continued protection of an area of employment that do not meet the new definition of “area of employment”.
The Ministry is responsive to the feedback received and has committed to supporting the implementation of the PPS 2024 through other means (e.g., Bill 97 ‘area of employment’ transition provision). Furthermore, the Ministry has also committed to the development of new and updated guidance material to support the implementation of the PPS 2024.
This decision confirms PPS 2024 policies and aligns with the government’s objectives to support development and investment and to increase housing supply.
The decision notice is posted on this registry for the public to view how the feedback was considered in the development of the policies.
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.
13th Flr, 777 Bay St
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
growthplanning@ontario.ca
13th Flr, 777 Bay St
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) has issued the Provincial Planning Statement as a policy statement under subsection 3(1) of the Planning Act, to take effect on October 20, 2024.
Subsection 3(6.1) of the Planning Act allows the Minister to make regulations providing for transitional matters which, in the opinion of the Minister, are necessary or desirable to facilitate the implementation of a policy statement issued under subsection 3(1).
MMAH is seeking feedback as to whether there are any specific planning matters (or types of matters) in process that should be addressed through the transition regulation. This could include, for example, development applications or planning matters under appeal. Feedback should include sufficient details to support an informed decision. Details submitted would not be used for any purpose other than to inform a decision regarding a potential transition regulation. Where it is appropriate, details to support the submission could include:
- A brief summary of the planning matter and/or type of matter that would require transition,
- The status of the planning matter,
- Identifying any specific matters that should be addressed through the transition regulation,
- The rationale for transitioning the matter and why it would support implementation of the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS), including identifying relevant policy sections in the PPS where appropriate,
- Any details that may contribute to understanding the planning matter, such as: name of municipality, relevant address, identifying other planning authorities affected (e.g., in matters that cross municipal borders), etc.,
- Other relevant details that would assist in making an informed decision.
Prescribing a matter or types of matters in the regulation could allow them to be decided consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 and/or provide for an exemption from specified policies.
However, other Provincial plans, including the Greenbelt Plan and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, would still apply in their areas. The Minister is not considering making any changes to the applicability of the policies in those Plans in connection with this proposal.
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.
13th Flr, 777 Bay St
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from August 20, 2024
to October 4, 2024
Connect with us
Contact
growthplanning@ontario.ca
13th Flr, 777 Bay St
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
36By email
12By mail
0