In last week’s blog, we outlined proposed Ontario Bill 66, which had a provision in it which would have given municipalities the power to approve commercial and industrial development in protected green spaces. This would have opened the Greenbelt to potential industrial and commercial development – if local municipalities were to approve, and with subsequent Ministerial approval.
However, after a wide swathe of negative media coverage, strong opposition to the bill from municipal governments across the province, and angst from important stakeholders, the Ontario government changed its mind. After the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (a group friendly to the governing PC party) voiced its nervousness to the Bill and its ‘unworkability’, it was becoming increasingly clear that opposition went across ideological lines.
Late last week, the Ontario Government stated it would pull the key Schedule 10 provision of Bill 66 (the bylaw giving municipalities power to bypass the Greenbelt Act) from the law. With this move, the government effectively defanged the bill of its most contentious component and showed a novel capacity to change its mind. The announcement came from Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark, one of the government’s most experienced figures.
With these changes, residents of Ontario can have peace of mind that their protected green spaces will not be chopped up. The government will now likely unveil new measures to spur development and increase the housing supply in the province. Tembo will keep its eye on the provincial government very focused, as many structural changes and policy announcements will be unveiled in the coming months given the concocting of a provincial budget in April.