Ontario Updates Provincial Planning Statement to Streamline Land-Use Planning
The Ontario government has introduced a new Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) aimed at streamlining land-use planning and reducing administrative burdens for municipalities. The updated PPS consolidates the Provincial Policy Statement, 2020, and A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe into a single policy document. This consolidation is expected to eliminate over 100 pages and 30,000 words of administrative requirements, potentially saving municipal staff an estimated 6,600 hours.
The PPS provides guidelines for municipal planners, planning boards, and decision-makers on land-use planning and development. It aims to help municipalities forecast and plan for housing, industry, and greenspaces while protecting agricultural lands, cultural heritage, and natural areas.
Key changes in the new PPS include encouraging the construction of more homes near major transit stations, such as subway, GO, light rail, and rapid transit bus stations. It also promotes the development of housing on underused low-density lands like shopping plazas and malls. Additionally, the PPS supports a broader range of housing options, including housing for students and seniors, and encourages better coordination between municipalities and school boards.
The new PPS will come into effect on October 20, 2024, and is based on input from three rounds of consultations over two years, including engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations. The PPS represents land-use planning interests from 21 government ministries and aims to address the unprecedented population growth in Ontario, which saw over 500,000 new residents in 2022 and projects an additional two million by 2031.
