OFA provides input to ERO #019-8369 and ORR # 24-MMAH010 as the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) seeks input on proposed changes to the Planning Act, City of Toronto Act, 2006, and Municipal Act, 2001 through the proposed Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024.
OFA provides the following comments regarding schedules 9 and 12 of Bill 185, to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as part of their consideration of Bill 185. OFA has not provided specific comments regarding schedule 4 which amends the City of Toronto Act, 2006.
Schedule 9 (Municipal Act, 2001):
- OFA recommends:
- the Minister exercise rigorous selection in authorizing tax incentives to ensure that they are genuinely effective, equitable and have minimal impact on the existing tax base; and
- broadening the scope of the amendments to include provisions for supporting existing businesses critical to Ontario’s agri-food sector, such as local abattoirs.
Schedule 12 (Planning Act):
- OFA supports:
- enhancing the Minister’s regulation-making authority to remove zoning barriers to building small multi-unit residential;
- the removal of the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA) tool;
- implementing a revised and transparent process for requesting and issuing Minister’s Zoning Orders; and
- enhancing the lapsing authority for approvals.
- OFA does not support:
- limiting who may appeal as a third-party to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT); and
- outright exempting of community service facilities from the Planning Act provisions or regulations made under section 70.2, but OFA supports a streamlined approvals process for community service facility projects as long as projects are subject to responsible land use planning and any impacts on prime agricultural areas are assessed and mitigated.
- OFA recommends:
- enabling any affected party the right to appeal a decision to the OLT;
- limiting the grounds for appeal to the OLT to disputes related to a municipal decision that allegedly goes beyond the municipality’s authority; fails to follow due process; fails to adhere to all salient provincial legislation, policy statements and guidance documents; and/or fails to adhere to the municipalities own official plan, by-laws, etc.;
- reconsideration of the government’s earlier decision to remove upper-tier planning responsibilities from some municipalities; and
- further amendments to the Planning Act to eliminate the automatic merging of property titles.
OFA appreciates the opportunity to provide our feedback and agricultural perspectives on the proposed amendments to the Planning Act and other Acts as outlined in Bill 185. We look forward to working with the provincial government and our municipal counterparts to protect Ontario’s farmlands as well as sustain Ontario’s housing supply and communities.
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