Consideration of transition of land use planning matters to facilitate the introduction of a new policy statement issued under the Planning Act.

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.