Category: PROVINCE OF ONTARIO

Policies & Threats Related to Greenspaces

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Greenspace Alliance comments on the draft new PPS

The Greenspace Alliance responded to the invitation to provide comment on a draft Provincial Policy Statement circulated by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. It would replace the current PPS issued in 2005. The PPS is authorized under the Planning Act and has key policy prescriptions which a municipality’s Official Plan and the Ontario Municipal Board must adhere to. The current PPS is found here: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page1485.aspx The September

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What changed since the September 2012 draft?

In brief, that degradation of fish habitat protection happened after the 2012 draft: the prohibition against “disruption” (still there in 2012) was dropped in favour of prohibiting only “permanent alteration”; moreover, the principle of “no net loss of productive capacity” was dropped. There are new references to “second units” in housing and to “older persons”. Some storm water management requirements have been strengthened. Highlights: In addition to a number of

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What’s new in the 2014 PPS compared to the 2005 PPS?

There are no show-stopping changes. However, there is more supportive language about rural areas. There is explicit support for “green infrastructure” (a defined term) and for alternative energy supply. A municipality now “shall” identify its “natural heritage system” (NHS). The Province imposes its criteria for declaring woodlands significant. Protection of fish habitat is further degraded. Highlights: The language about rural areas is more expansive. E.g., while there was no introductory

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New Provincial Policy Statement (2014)

PDF version After a long delay, on February 24 the Province of Ontario finally issued the new version of its Provincial Policy Statement, issued under the Planning Act. The PPS is the key policy reference for any arguments before the Ontario Municipal Board. The next round of Comprehensive Official Plan review (in 2019) must bring the Plan in conformity with the new PPS. The new policy comes into effect on

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Discussion paper and Response (Oct – Dec 2016)

October 5, 2016 The Ministries’ Public Consultation Document is here (1.3 MB), or go to http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page15027.aspx A schedule of town hall meetings is to be announced. The deadline for comments is December 19. Comment & analysis on John Michael McGrath’s TVO blog: October 5, 2016   UPDATE – December 1 Today the Greenspace Alliance sent in its responses to the 24 questions posed in the Ministry’s public consultation document.  The

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OMB reform: First round, June 2016

August 4, 2016 The long anticipated process to reform the Ontario Municipal Board got under way at the end of  June 2016.  Here is the government’s information page: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page14965.aspx.  In this round, the Ministry sought feedback on six specific aspects: jurisdiction and powers; meaningful citizen participation and local perspective; clear/predictable decision making; hearing procedures and practices; alternative dispute resolution; and timely processes and decision making. In earlier submissions, the Greenspace

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Conservation Authorities Act review

18 October 2015 Today, the Greenspace Alliance sent comments to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, in response to a Discussion Paper (EBR # 012-4509, posted July 20, 2015) reviewing the Conservation Authorities Act. Key recommendations: The right to appeal a Conservation Authority (CA) permit decision should not be exclusive to the proponent. CAs could increase transparency, accountability and collaboration with the community. The Province must restore core

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Wetland conservation in Ontario: Review

30 October 2015 The Greenspace Alliance today sent in responses to questions posed in a July 2015 Discussion Paper (7.8 MB) from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on Wetland Conservation in Ontario (EBR #012-4464).  Key points made include that we should start from the position of protecting all wetlands, as do Quebec and Alberta, and that the legislative framework needs to be strengthened to be more protective of

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Towards a Waste-Free Ontario

28 January 2016 The Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change held a 5-hour consultation this afternoon about a proposed framework for a Waste-Free Ontario.  Some 60 people attended, mostly representing municipalities and businesses but Waste Watch Ottawa, the National Zero Waste Council and the Greenspace Alliance were also there. Here are the agenda, the consultation guide and the deck that was used in the presentation. Comments are invited

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Aggregates: Comment on “A Blueprint for Change”

Here are our comments on “A Blueprint for Change – A proposal to modernize and strengthen the Aggregate Resources Act policy framework” (EBR No. 012-5444, October 21, 2015, 36 pp.) The government’s paper is here. Our submission comments on 14 of the 42 proposals set out in the paper. Comments by the Region of Waterloo (authored by an old acquaintance, Chris Gosselin) and a conference call with and draft submission

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