Bill 97 and the proposed provincial planning statement
The rules change again, and without appeal



by Sheila Clarke

Join the 80% of Ontarians who want to see Bill 23 repealed! This October 2022 bill removed environmental protection for wetlands and endangered species, supported urban sprawl into farmland and important woodlands and wetlands, gutted Conservation Authorities, and made it impossible for municipalities to charge developers of the cost of providing services such as water, sewage, and transportation to new development.

Two cousins of Bill 23 landed on April 6, 2023: Bill 97 and the proposed Provincial Planning Statement. Analysis is still taking place. There are opportunities to let Queen’s Park know your responses. As specifics are identified, the information will be made available. In the meantime, we know the following:

New development density has been reduced from 80 people per hectare to 50, and now to NO minimum numbers requirement at all, hardly “affordable housing.”

Sprawl has been mandated around several larger municipalities in Ontario, including Kitchener and Waterloo, right in our backyard. Decisions for sprawl appear to be in the hands of a provincial office; they ignore wetlands, habitat, farmland, and regional planning.

Sprawl will not be concentrated along public transportation lines, will not be in reach of already existing services, and will not be able to be appealed.

You are warmly invited to send short statements to the government to recommend wise development planning.

The consultation on Bulk 97 closes at 11:59 pm on May 6, 2023

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6821



The Consultation on the Provincial Planning Statement closes at 11:59 pm on June 5, 2023

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice019-6813