Proposed Minister’s Regulation (Planning Act) to ensure continued application of Minister’s Zoning Orders

Amendments were made to the Planning Act through Bill 185, the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, which took effect as of June 6, 2024. The amendments (under section 62.0.2 of the Planning Act) exempted universities’ projects for the objects of the institution from the application of the Planning Act and its regulations and sections 113 and 114 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006. The amendments also provided the Minister with authority to issue regulations to prescribe exceptions.

Since the passage of Bill 185, issues have been identified related to the exemption for universities regarding:

1. Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs); and

2. Air Ambulance Service Protection Corridors.

1. Minister’s Zoning Orders 

Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) may be made by the Minister of MMAH to support government priorities. To ensure the continued application of MZOs in all circumstances, the proposed Minister’s regulation would provide that the exemption for universities does not apply in respect of any order made under clause 47(1)(a) of the Planning Act (i.e., MZO).

The regulation would ensure that current and future Zoning Orders made under the Planning Act would continue to apply to university undertakings. 

2. Air Ambulance Service Protection Corridors

There is a specific interest in protecting the air ambulance corridors for helicopter access to St. Michael’s Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. While Minister’s Zoning Order 10/24: ZONING ORDER - PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY - TORONTO HOSPITAL HELIPORT is in place to ensure the safe operation of air ambulances servicing these two Toronto hospitals (subject to regulation), there is also mapping of the corridors that stands alone from the MZO.

To ensure continued ambulance corridor protection for these hospitals, the proposed regulation also makes specific reference to Map 345 (Hospital for Sick Children heliport flight path) and Map 346 (St. Michael’s Hospital heliport and flight path), both of which are filed at the Toronto office of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing located at 777 Bay Street.

This proposed regulation would prohibit any proposed buildings or structures from penetrating the flight paths used by these two hospitals