Bill 73 Amendments To The Planning Act

On December 3, 2015, Ontario passed Bill 73, the Smart Growth for Our Communities Act, 2015. Bill 73 proposes significant amendments to the Planning Act and the Development Charges Act, 1997. This update will focus on the changes to the Planning Act that will alter, and in some areas restrict, the current planning approval process.

Some of the amendments made by Bill 73 are already in effect. For example, the Province's obligation to review its policy statements is now increased from every five years to every ten years. However, the majority of the changes to the planning approvals process as discussed below will come into force on a day(s) to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor. As of the time of this writing, that day(s) had not yet been determined.