We considered all feedback received during the comment period for this posting. We received comments from a wide range of interested parties, including:

individual members of the public

industry and industry associations

municipalities

non-governmental organizations

The majority of the comments received related to:

repeal of the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009 in Schedule 5;

proposed amendments to the Planning Act in Schedule 10

Schedule 5, Repeal of the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009:

Industry was supportive of the proposed repeal of the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009. The public and non-governmental organizations were not supportive of the proposed repeal of the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks also led consultations on this schedule. Their decision notice can be found here.

Schedule 10, Amendments to the Planning Act:

Some comments expressed support, in principle, for proposed changes that would help to streamline development approvals and support economic development opportunities. However, a much larger number of comments were received identifying concerns about such things as:

public health and safety, the environment, drinking water and Ontario’s Greenbelt

the effect of provincial and municipal plans/policies and other related legislation on such by-laws

the minimum requirements for consultation and notification, and

a lack of appeal opportunities.

The government indicated that an open-for-business planning by-law would never have been approved at the expense of the Greenbelt or provincial interests like water quality or public health and safety. In considering the feedback received, the government decided it did not want to proceed with Schedule 10 of Bill 66. On March 20, 2019, Schedule 10 was removed from the Bill following a vote by members of the Standing Committee on General Government.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing also led consultation on this schedule. The decision notices from their consultations can be found here and here.

Other Schedules

A limited number of the comments received pertained to the remaining schedules of the Act. Concerns were raised about the effects of red tape reduction on public interests. The government remains committed to reducing unnecessarily burdensome red tape while maintaining standards to keep the environment, Ontario workers, and families safe and healthy.