On 2 May 2019, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (the “Ministry”) released its plan to tackle the Ontario housing crisis, called the More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan. The plan involved reviewing “every step of the development process” and “every policy regulation and piece of legislation to eliminate unnecessary steps, duplication and barriers”. Changes brought forward on 2 May 2019 include Bill 108: More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 and a new Growth Plan.
Bill 108, More Homes, More Choices Act, 2019
On 2 May 2019, Bill 108, More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019, received its first reading by the Ontario Legislature. Among other things, Bill 108 introduces a number of amendments to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal Act, 2017, the Planning Act and the Ontario Heritage Act which the government says are intended to increase the supply of housing and streamline the development approval process. The Ministry has issued a news release.
A comprehensive list of all Acts affected by Bill 108 is as follows:
- Cannabis Control Act, 2017
- Conservation Authorities Act
- Development Charges Act, 1997
- Education Act
- Endangered Species Act, 2007
- Environmental Assessment Act
- Environmental Protection Act
- Labour Relations Act, 1995
- Local Planning Appeal Tribunal Act, 2017
- Municipal Act, 2001
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Ontario Heritage Act
- Ontario Water Resources Act
- Planning Act
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Act
The Ministry is currently seeking feedback on the proposed amendments to the following Acts:
The commenting period for the above-noted amendments is scheduled to close on 1 June 2019.
It is unknown at this time when the second reading of Bill 108 and debates will occur .
A Place to Grow: New Growth Plan, 2019
As part of the Housing Supply Action Plan, the Ministry has also released A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (“A Place to Grow”), which amends and replaces the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2017.
A Place to Grow is scheduled to come into force on 16 May 2019.
The Ministry is seeking feedback on transitional matters under A Place to Grow relating to specific planning matters currently in process. The commenting period for these transitional matters is scheduled to close on 1 June 2019.
If you would like more information on the above, please contact us.