Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario’s housing minister says he will reverse controversial expansions it made to the urban boundaries of some municipalities as part of its plan to build more homes.
Housing Minister Paul Calandra said Monday he would soon introduce legislation that will wind back provincial changes to the official plans of the following municipalities and regional municipalities:
- Barrie
- Belleville
- Guelph
- Hamilton
- Ottawa
- City of Peterborough
- Halton Region
- Niagara Region
- Peel Region
- Waterloo Region
- York Region
- Wellington County
“it is clear” changes made to urban boundaries “failed to meet that test,” Calandra said Monday, adding there was “too much involvement from the minister’s office, too much involvement from individuals in the minister’s office” in those decisions.
In November 2022, the government ordered the expansion of some cities’ municipal boundaries, instantly turning certain parcels of agricultural land from rural to urban. Housing Minister Paul Calandra now says the government will reverse those expansions after “too much involvement” from then-Housing Minister Steve Clark’s office.
Municipalities have 45 days to request any revisions to their original submissions. Calandra said the province will cover costs incurred by municipalities on work done in relation to the boundary expansions.
Earlier this month, Calandra introduced legislation to return those lands to the Greenbelt while also insulating the government from any legal action from developers affected by the move. Calandra said Monday that the pending legislation to reverse boundary changes would similarly include provisions to protect the government from legal consequences.
“This really is a reset for me as a minister to work with my municipal partners so that we can remain focused on working together,” he said.
Calandra also said he has nearly completed an ongoing review of Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs) approved under Clark’s tenure. MZOs effectively override local planning and bylaws, and Clark issued dozens of them during his time as minister. Ontario’s auditor general is currently investigating the ministry’s process for selecting and approving MZOs.ut the Greenbelt,” he said.