Setting Timelines

Ontario ministers receive mandate letters

NRU
Sept. 28, 2016

Following a cabinet shuffle and a prorogation of the Ontario Legislature, Premier Kathleen Wynne sent new mandate letters to her cabinet. The letters outline key priorities for the second half of the term and set timelines for initiatives and reviews.

Municipal affairs minister Bill Mauro will oversee the final stages of the co-ordinated review of the Growth Plan, Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and Niagara Escarpment Plan, which will be finalized early in winter 2017. He has also been asked to introduce legislative changes to the Municipal Act, City of Toronto Act and Municipal Conflict of Interest Act in fall 2016.

Mauro has been directed to work with Attorney General Yasir Naqvi to review the scope and effectiveness of the Ontario Municipal Board and to consult with municipalities, stakeholders and the public. Legislation to “improve the OMB’s role within the broader land use planning system” will be introduced by spring 2017.

Mauro will lead a review of the Ontario Building Code. He will work with housing minister Chris Ballard to reduce the cost of secondary suites and with environment and climate change minister Glenn Murray to support low-carbon standards for new buildings. Recommendations for a new edition of the Ontario Building Code will be made by spring 2017.

Murray has been directed to ensure the initial Climate Change Action Plan programs and policies are in place by 2017. He will continue implementing a cap and trade carbon
market, targeting the first auction for March 2017.

Natural resources and forestry minister Kathryn McGarry will introduce a revised Aggregate Resources Act this fall. She has been asked to ensure the regulatory and legislative changes will strengthen environmental accountability, improve oversight and address fees and royalties.

McGarry has also been directed to continue the Conservation Authorities Act review, create a strategic plan to stop the net loss of Ontario’s wetlands by 2017 and support agriculture, food and rural affairs minister Jeff Leal in the development of a Pollinator Health Action Plan that will be released this fall.

Leal’s letter directs him to develop the Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation Strategy for public release by summer 2017. He is also to work with stakeholders and industry partners on a strategy to promote locally-grown world crops by winter 2017.

Transportation minister Steven Del Duca has been directed to report on the Metrolinx Act review in 2017. By mid-2017, he will also report on opportunities to expand the services accessed with PRESTO cards.

Del Duca will continue to support the expert panel reviewing the GTA West Corridor project, with a decision on the future of the corridor anticipated by the end of 2016.

Following the fall 2016 report from high speed rail special advisor David Collenette on the economic development opportunities, financing models and feasibility of high speed rail in Southwestern Ontario, Del Duca will issue a request for proposals for an environmental assessment in 2017.

Del Duca has also been directed to work with economic development and growth minister Brad Duguid on the development of a Centre of Excellence for autonomous vehicles by 2018.

Wynne has directed infrastructure minister Bob Chiarelli to develop new regulations under the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act, which will outline requirements for longterm infrastructure planning for the broader public sector by spring 2017. He will also develop a “one-window” inventory of public property, including surplus properties, to support community hub development.

The mandate letter for tourism, culture and sport minister Eleanor McMahon outlines plans for the revitalization of Ontario Place, which will be turned into a year-round waterfront destination. She has been asked to deliver a plan with the West Island as a cultural hub and the East Island as a celebration common. Ontario Place will be transformed with public and private sector partners, who will be announced in 2017.

Wynne has directed advanced education and skills development minister Deb Matthews to proceed with the new York University-Seneca College campus in Markham. Matthews has also been directed to issue a second call for proposals for a postsecondary facility in Peel and Halton regions by fall 2016.