Provincial legislative agenda - 2016 priorities
NRU
Jan. 6, 2016
An aggressive agenda awaits MPPs on their return to the Ontario Legislature February 16.
With the release of the Crombie Panel report in December the provincial government is moving into the second phase of its coordinated review of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and Niagara Escarpment Plan. Another round of public consultation is anticipated early in the year to consider proposed amendments to the four plans.
Stage one of the review of Metrolinx regional transportation plan, The Big Move, is underway.To meet legislative requirements to review the plan by August 2016, Metrolinx intends to release a discussion paper midyear.
This is anticipated to identify emerging issues and detail proposed revisions to meet future needs and support implementation of the Growth Plan. Anticipated to begin in 2016, the format for the review of the Ontario Municipal Board has not been released.
The comment period on amendments to the Aggregate Resources Act ended December 15 and the natural resources and forestry ministry is reviewing the feedback.
Further public consultation related to the more detailed content of the policy changes is expected later this year. October 19 was the deadline for comments on the natural resources and forestry ministry discussion paper on the Conservation Authorities Act, but the ministry has yet to decide whether it will pursue changes to the act.
Comments were due July 27 on the review of the Municipal Elections Act and October 31 on the review of the Municipal Act/City of Toronto Act/Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. Proposed changes are anticipated in spring 2016.
Changes to the Development Charges Act came into effect January 1 and regulations that will implement various aspects of the Smart Growth for Our Communities Act through the Planning Act are upcoming.
Etobicoke MPP Peter Milczyn is expected to introduce a private members bill early on the legislative calendar, supported by municipal affairs and housing minister Ted McMeekin, to strengthen the titles used by professional planners in Ontario.
Late last year environment and climate change minister Glen Murray introduced Bill 151: Waste-free Ontario Act in the legislature. Posted to the Environmental Registry, comments on the strategy are being accepted until February 24.
