Bill 17 amended the Development Charges Act, 1997 (the "DCA") to allow development charges for residential developments to be deferred to either the issuance of an occupancy permit or the first occupancy of the building, whichever is earlier.

On June 5, 2025, Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, received Royal Assent, which on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council ("LG"), will introduce new sections 66.1 and 66.2 to the Ontario Heritage Act (the "OHA")

This blog constitutes Part 3 of the Davies Howe Bill 98 and Related Proposals blog series and describes the reintroduction of the Bill 23 proposed parkland reform, which never came into effect.

Ontario's Bill 98, the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Act, 2026, has received Royal Assent, marking a significant shift in the province's land use planning system.

On November 21, 2025, O. Reg. 257/25 (the "Regulation") came into effect, allowing a setback to be treated as compliant if it's at least 90% of the setback required in the zoning by-law.

On June 5, 2025, Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, received Royal Assent, which enacted the controversial Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 (the "SEZ Act").

On October 31, 2025, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (the "MECP") announced the Province's intention to create the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (the "Agency") through forthcoming legislation.

On November 28, 2025, the Divisional Court released Caledon Residences Inc. v. Ontario Land Tribunal, 2025 ONSC 6546.

Archaeological assessments are a common source of delay and uncertainty in the development approval process. Ontario is now proposing changes that could narrow...

On January 22, 2026, the Province published new amending regulations to prescribe professional engineering as a "prescribed profession" for the purposes of complete applications...

The federal government's Bill C-15 (the "Bill") proposes substantial amendments to the Expropriation Act (the "Act") to facilitate the development of a high-speed rail network connecting Ontario and Quebec.

On October 23, 2025, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (the "Minister"), the Honourable Rob Flack, introduced the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 (the "Act").

Alto's high-speed rail project for the Toronto-Quebec corridor has released its public consultation report, revealing significant concerns from landowners and farmers about expropriation processes, farmland protection, and the impacts of Bill C-15. The report outlines how feedback from over 324,000 portal visits and numerous public sessions will shape the alignment selection process as the project moves toward presenting a narrowed corridor in fall 2026.

Ontario has officially implemented new parkland dedication rules allowing property owners to propose encumbered lands and privately owned public spaces for parkland requirements. The regulations establish detailed criteria for land suitability, appeal processes through the Ontario Land Tribunal, and specific documentation requirements that developers must navigate when identifying potential parkland conveyances.

On March 30, 2026, the Province repealed the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (the “ESA”) and replaced it with the new Species Conservation Act, 2025 (the “SCA”).

On March 30, 2026, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (the “Minister”) introduced Bill 98: the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026 ...

On March 30th, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford signed the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build Agreement aimed at reducing development costs and improving housing...

While these proposed changes, if approved, will have significant impacts on the land use planning regime, none are currently set to take effect imminently.

This blog constitutes Part 1 of the Davies Howe LLP Bill 98 and Related Proposals blog series. This first part focuses on proposed amendments intended to come into force immediately upon approval...