Provincial Planning Statement Advocacy

On April 10th, 2024, the Hon. Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing published an update to Ontario’s housing supply action plan to build 1.5 million homes in the next decade.

This update included tabling of a new Provincial Planning Statement and new legislation in the form of Bill 185, the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024.

Despite the new legislation’s name, CME remains concerned that the policy changes introduced will increase red tape for Ontario manufacturers.

While the government has implemented some of CME’s previous recommendations to improve the protection of employment lands and added new tools for economic developments, there is still no framework proposed to replace Provincially Significant Employment Zones (PSEZs) and prevent encroachments on industrial lands with certainty.

What practical recommendations can be implemented to improve Bill 185 and the Provincial Planning Statement? Read CME’s letter to government and detailed submission.