Citizens’ group tracks Provincial Policy Statement changes

Comment closes April 25 on province’s new land use policy for rural Ontario

The Ontario government released its Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) 2014 on February 24, which goes into effect on Aprl 20, 2014, replacing the PPS 2005.

It also released two draft documents for discussion dealing with the updated PPS with more “focused” policies for Northern Ontario and for Rural Ontario. Comment is due on those by April 25.

All these policies impact our efforts to protect water, preserve farmland and stop sprawl, so the following links are provided to help you evaluate the changes.

First, dealing with the PPS 2014, here is a helpful comparison undertaken by the Federation of Citizens Associations, tracking the changes between PPS 2005, PPS 2012 Draft, and PPS 2014 Final.

This is the news release  in which the government states what it believes it has achieved with PPS 2014, namely:

–       Recognizing rural and northern Ontario as distinctive communities with specific planning needs.

–       Emphasizing the importance of active transportation (e.g., cycling) and transit to healthy, active communities.

–       Recognizing the importance of our Great Lakes by protecting coastal wetlands.

–       Allowing for a greater range of economic uses on farms, such as farm tourism and home-based businesses.

Here’s a link to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s release on PPS 2014. AMO makes the following comments

• There is a new section on “Rural” to help with interpretation of the policies in areas with less population density and smaller centres such as allowing for rounding out of settlement areas on individual services and permitting on farm diversified uses;
• The policy now requires identification of natural heritage systems in southern Ontario and recognizing systems may be different in settlement areas, rural areas, and prime agricultural areas.
• The policy requires consideration of potential impacts of climate change (e.g. flooding due to severe weather events) and supporting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change.  Encourages green infrastructure (e.g. permeable surfaces) and strengthening storm water management requirements.
• Municipalities are to recognize existing constitutional Aboriginal and treaty rights.  It encourages planning authorities to coordinate planning matters with Aboriginal communities.

Here’s a link to the government’s page on its discussion on the draft documents relating to land use planning in rural and Northern Ontario 

And here’s the government page which includes a link to PPS 2014 along with supporting documentation.