Bill 17 proposes amendments to several Acts that seek to streamline the planning system, particularly with respect to residential urban settlement areas and transit centres.

OFA is pleased to see the countryside will not be affected by the new as-of-right provisions for minor variances, which applies to urban areas. OFA states that any as-of-right changes from setback requirements must not override the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) formulae. MDS is a critical tool used to prevent land use conflicts between agricultural and non-agricultural uses. Allowing exceptions to MDS would pose risks to both farming operations and surrounding land uses.

OFA requests that third-party appeal rights be restored to the Planning Act. It would be beneficial to Ontario’s farmers to have third-party appeals restored to the Act. Doing so would assist livestock farmers whose operations have been limited by the approval of a residential or other sensitive land use within prescribed MDS setbacks.