OFA submission to Minister Clark regarding the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s proposed policies for an integrated province-wide land use Provincial Planning Statement

OFA provided an agricultural and rural perspective on the land use policies proposed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH). The new Provincial Planning Statement is proposed to replace the 2020 Provincial Policy Statement (PPS 2020) and the A Place To Grow (APTG) policy statement.

OFA’s submission included:

• Settlement Area Boundary Expansions: OFA strongly opposes changes to settlement area boundary expansion policies, we believe that higher-density development is needed to limit agricultural land loss.
• Additional Residential Units (ARUs): OFA supports ARUs on existing farm parcels and rural hubs, but we have concerns about lack of criteria and specificity.
• Minimum Distance Separation (MDS): Ontario farmers value the MDS formulae as a proven means of separating livestock facilities and permanent manure storages from neighbouring land uses.
• Employment Lands: OFA would like to caution against changing Employment Lands policies, as it may impact agricultural land use.
• Municipal Flexibility: OFA believes that the PPS should be a baseline that allows for some flexibility. Municipalities should be allowed to be more restrictive within the local policy so long as it is in accordance with provincial policy.
• Agricultural Impact Assessment (AIA): OFA supports AIA inclusion for land use proposals and has some concerns about the granting of exceptions.
• Natural Heritage & Water: OFA believes that the Provincial Planning Statements should not remove the words “all municipal” from section 4.2.1(e)(1). OFA is a strong advocate of protecting water supplies and wetlands, in a way that prioritizes Normal Farm Practices