Ontario releases 2014 Provincial policy statement

Dear Friends,
 
Yesterday, the Government of Ontario released the Provincial Policy Statement 2014.  This is the government's consolidated policies for growth and development in Ontario's communities -- providing for consistency and better, smarter planning across the province, while giving municipalities flexibility to ensure their plans meet their unique needs.
 
The Provincial Policy Statement 2014 builds on the policies of the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement by:
 

• Recognizing rural and northern Ontario as distinctive communities with specific planning needs;
• Emphasizing the importance of active transportation (e.g., cycling) and transit to healthy, active communities;
• Recognizing the importance of our Great Lakes by protecting coastal wetlands; and
• Allowing for a greater range of economic uses on farms, such as farm tourism and home-based businesses.

 
Different regions of the province face different challenges and the Provincial Policy Statement 2014 offers greater flexibility in how policies are applied in northern and rural communities to help them continue to prosper.
 
I have attached the new Statement for your review.  It comes into effect April 30, 2014 and replaces the Provincial Policy Statement 2005.  At least 15 ministries worked collaboratively, and extensive consultations were held with municipalities and stakeholders to develop the new Provincial Policy Statement, including one in our community in the fall of 2012.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
 
Sincerely,
Yasir
 
Yasir Naqvi, MPP
Ottawa Centre