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A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 2019 came into effect on May 16, 2019 replacing the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2017. Modifications to O. Reg. 311/06 support the implementation of the plan by providing transitional treatment for certain planning matters currently in process.

The application for a Permit to Take Water for Kim McCarthy was cancelled on November 26, 2025.

Approval was granted for a site plan amendment to allow removal of a portion of the southern 15m setback in the Town of Halton Hills.

The application to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan to change the designations and/or policies for lands affected by the Escarpment Recreation Area Designation has been closed.

We have expanded the boundaries of 20 protected areas (11 provincial parks and 9 conservation reserves) and created 10 new protected areas (2 provincial parks and 8 conservation reserves). These changes provide increased opportunities for recreational activities and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Ontario’s natural heritage.

Bill 139 received Royal Assent on December 4, 2023. Schedule 14 amends the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) to change application requirements, timing and approvals for alteration requests to minimize interruption of religious practice at buildings used primarily for religious practices where all applicable conditions are met. 

No changes are proposed to the enhanced minister’s zoning authority. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing will exercise their discretion, on a case by case basis, in using the authority.

Amendments to the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act enable the ministry to act directly to reduce risks from hazardous wells when an operator is non-compliant and deceased, insolvent, or bankrupt. These changes were part of the Resource Management and Safety Act, 2025 and took effect on December 3, 2025.

We have made changes to the technical standards for petroleum refining and petrochemical industries. This will improve the air quality and make industries operate responsibly.

The application submitted by L82 Construction Limited to amend their site plan has been approved.

Following the August 17, 2017 proposal and subsequent 45-day consultation period, Ontario is implementing changes to the Statement of Environmental Values for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to reflect current ministry priorities.

Approval was granted to E.C. King Contracting (Division of Miller Paving Limited) for a site plan amendment for licence No. 5051 which indicates an extraction area of 21.2 hectares (ha) to be extracted in four (4) phases in the Municipality of Grey Highlands.

The Province of Ontario has passed Bill 5: Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, which makes amendments to the current Endangered Species Act, 2007 and enacts the Species Conservation Act, 2025 (to come into force on a future date).

An amending regulation under the Planning Act was filed on March 5, 2018 and came into force on April 3, 2018. The regulation sets out new transition rules to deal with certain planning matters in process when the land use planning changes made by the Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017 took effect.

Ontario has made amendments to Ontario Regulation 153/04 to prohibit the submission of a (RSC) for filing in specified low risk circumstances, and to expand an exemption from RSC filing requirements for specified changes in the use of buildings to mixed use.

We introduced Bill 139 - the Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017, on May 30, 2017. The changes identified in the bill respond to the province-wide consultation the government undertook as part of the Ontario Municipal Board Review.

We have approved the land use policies in the Hearst Administrative District to facilitate the sale or lease of Crown land for agriculture purposes. These changes will increase opportunities for agriculture industries and will promote the agricultural economy within Northern Ontario.