Ontario’s Bill 60 proposes to shift more planning power to the provincial housing minister, potentially reducing municipal control over local development. The bill, introduced by Premier Doug Ford’s government in late October, aims to speed up housing approvals by simplifying the planning process.
Bill 60 would allow the housing minister to make planning decisions without needing to follow the provincial land-use planning statement. This statement currently guides municipalities on how to balance housing needs with environmental protection. Luisa Sotomayor, planning director at the University of Toronto, warns this shift could undermine municipal autonomy and long-term policy measures.
The bill could affect lands near transit corridors and government-owned properties, authorizing development without public consultation. This raises concerns about excluding local input on critical land use. Toronto’s chief planner, Jason Thorne, also fears the removal of green development standards could hinder sustainable housing efforts.
The provincial government says Bill 60 will increase transparency by publicly posting all ministerial planning decisions. However, the exact decisions impacted remain unclear. Official plans, which outline municipal zoning and land use, would be subject to the minister’s discretion, possibly overriding local priorities.
Bryan Purcell from the Atmospheric Fund emphasizes that the provincial planning statement provides clarity and certainty for developers. He cautions that ignoring this framework could reduce investment confidence and create uncertainty in housing markets.
As part of Bill 60, Ontario has already repealed Toronto’s green roof bylaw, which mandated green roofs on large new buildings to help manage climate change effects like urban heat and flooding. The province also plans to review other local green standards, such as bike parking and electric vehicle charging requirements.
Critics argue these moves risk erasing environmental progress embedded in municipal policies. The province is holding consultations on future development standards but faces pushback from experts who stress the need to balance growth with climate considerations.
Housing Minister Rob Flack maintains that Bill 60 will create stable and predictable conditions for faster home building. Still, experts remain concerned that expanded ministerial powers could marginalize municipal voices in shaping Ontario’s communities.
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