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© Lora Denis
Central Ontario sprawl
On October 20, 2024, Ontario’s new Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) officially came into effect. This overhaul of the province’s land use planning framework merges the former PPS (2020) with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, effectively dismantling the policy framework that was created to guide sustainable, well-planned growth within one of Ontario’s fastest growing regions.
While the Government of Ontario is claiming it will simply streamline processes for development, the reality is alarming. These revisions significantly weaken environmental protections and put Ontario’s natural heritage, farmland and wetlands at serious risk, while incentivizing more urban sprawl.
The government claims that more land is needed for housing, specifically beyond existing settlement areas. However, research shows this simply isn’t true. In fact, Ontario already has enough land within current boundaries to meet housing needs until 2050. The government’s own 2022 Housing Affordability Task Force report confirmed that a land shortage is not the source of the housing crisis.
Instead of focusing on sustainable growth, the new PPS encourages sprawling development patterns, which could erase much of the progress made over decades in protecting Ontario’s vital farmland and natural areas. Under the new PPS 2024, the rules for land development have become more flexible. It introduces specific targets for how densely areas should be built and gives municipalities greater freedom to allow housing developments and higher-density projects.
“These policy changes are a major setback for Ontario. By prioritizing sprawl over smart growth, the government is undermining our ability to address the interrelated crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.”
– Tony Morris, Director of Conservation Policy and Campaigns at Ontario Nature
Here’s what Ontario stands to lose under the new PPS:
Ontario Nature is calling on decision makers to reconsider these changes and commit to evidence-based planning decisions. Ontario can balance growth with the protection of our vital natural areas and precious farmland.
Northern leopard frog © Jozsef Szasz-Fabian
The developers are having a great time with this premier in power. A disgusting abuse of power at the expense of Ontario’s farmland and nature.
Some sure things on this third planet from the sun: Death, taxes and Doug Ford’s government not caring about the natural environment.
The Ontario Government failed to recognize that there is law behind each Provincial Act they’re have dissolved to create their new Housing Plans. They need to be accountable for dissolving the previous Acts that protected our National Resources within our Province. They need to be accountable for they’re actions.