This consultation closes at 11:59 p.m. on:
May 14, 2026
Proposal summary
This notice seeks feedback on a proposal to revoke the five remaining Minister’s Zoning Orders used to establish the Parkway Belt West Plan (“PBWP” or “Plan”) and the Parkway Belt West Planning Area. This notice is part of the proposal to revoke the Parkway Belt West Plan (see ERO 026-0229).
Proposal details
The government is seeking public feedback on proposed legislative changes under the proposed Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026 and related regulatory changes to further support housing, economic, and infrastructure development, and advance key transportation and transit priorities.
The PBWP is Ontario’s first provincial land use plan. Originally created in 1978, its goals were to reserve land for multi-purpose utility corridors, to act as an urban separator and provide a linked open space system across the Greater Toronto Area. It stretches 120 km from the City of Hamilton to the City of Markham.
In 1973, fourteen MZOs were put in place to identify and protect lands to support the implementation of the PBWP. Currently, portions of five of the original MZOs remain, as municipalities have brought their local zoning by-laws into conformity over time. The five MZOs remaining are in:
- O. Reg. 473/73 - Markham
- O. Reg. 474/73 - Richmond Hill
- O. Reg. 478/73 - Etobicoke
- O. Reg. 481/73 - Oakville, Halton Hills, Milton, Mississauga
- O. Reg. 482/73 - Burlington
To support the government’s initiative to streamline, reduce and eliminate municipal and provincial burden, and while providing continued, modernized protection for key infrastructure corridors across a growing region, the government is proposing to revoke the PBWP and the remaining portions of its five associated MZOs. More detail on the proposal, as well as coordinated partner ministry initiatives, can be found here.
Currently, the PBWP allows landowners to apply to amend or revoke areas within it. MZO amendments are often for the removal of land or to change development standards (i.e., setbacks, building heights, and lot coverage). The protections that the Plan was originally created for, i.e., to support the creation of new infrastructure that is now largely built, are no longer needed. More up-to-date planning has also made the Parkway Belt West Plan redundant. The amendment application process has also created a burden with the additional layer of provincial approvals required for even minor amendments to an outdated plan, resulting in increased time and costs at all levels.
To support the 2026 Proposal to revoke the Parkway Belt West Plan, the government is also seeking feedback on the proposal to revoke the five remaining MZOs associated with the Plan.
Other related information
The government welcomes your feedback on the proposed revocation of the PBWP, associated MZOs, and related partner-ministry initiatives. The following questions may assist in your feedback on the proposal:
- What are your thoughts on the proposal to revoke the PBWP and the five associated MZOs?
- What potential municipal concerns and impacts (e.g., on local zoning) are there with respect to revoking the remaining MZOs?
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
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Contact
parkwaybeltwestplan@ontario.ca