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Click the image to read Osler Law’s synopsis of Bill 185. —>
“Most significantly, the Bill proposes to reinstate the ability to appeal the refusal official plan amendment applications that propose settlement area boundary expansions. This appeal prohibition was first introduced in 2006. Combined with the proposed changes to the Provincial Policy Statement, private sector applications for settlement area boundary expansions now can be made at any time, and appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal.”
April 10, 2024
The Provincial Government’s new “Cutting Red Tape” Bill 185 is another attempt by this government to force suburban sprawl onto unwilling municipalities.
“Together, the new law and the proposed Provincial Planning Statement would effectively wipe out the protective Settlement Area Boundaries and Municipal Comprehensive Review processes that prevent low-density sprawl from destroying what remains of farmland and natural areas outside the Greenbelt. Under the proposed Provincial Policy Statement, land speculators could demand at any time that farmland, wetlands and wildlife habitat be earmarked for sprawl development, with the new law letting them appeal any refusal.”
Click the image to read the statement by Environmental Defence
October 23, 2023
The Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing has announced that the Provincial government will reverse their forced urban expansion decision! This means 5,400 acres of farmland will be saved in Hamilton!
October, 2023 - The Narwhal
Just who is driving the decision to force the expansion of Hamilton’s urban boundary? Click the image to read the article.
“The records show unnamed parties requested dozens of the changes Ontario made to Hamilton’s growth plan, and more than a third of the 77 changes had no listed purpose or rationale.
“These documents show that we live in a province run by third parties and Mr. Xs,” Sandy Shaw, a Hamilton-area NDP MPP, said in an interview, referring to an unnamed development lobbyist who had direct access to ministry officials about the Greenbelt, according to an integrity commissioner report.
“This is just Greenbelt 2.0,” Shaw said. “Once again, the decision wasn’t based on evidence, consultation, expert advice. And it was made behind closed doors.”
November 2023
Similar to the Greenbelt Grab, the forced expansion of Hamilton’s urban boundary is now also being called into question. In Nov 2023, city council will vote on a motion to call for an RCMP investigation into the PC government’s forced expansion onto Hamilton farmland.
A sprawling disaster - Ford's plan for Ontario
Heavy duty lobbying for sprawl
Expanding our urban boundary is not the answer
Will the survey be unbiased?
Hamilton wants more opinions on expanding its urban boundaries and developing rural land