Ontario’s Bill 60 aims to speed up housing approvals, but experts warn it could weaken municipal planning, green standards, and long-term development stability.
Ontario’s Bill 60 Sparks Concerns Over Planning Powers
Growing Unease Over Centralized Planning
Ontario’s newly introduced Bill 60 is drawing sharp concern from planning experts and municipal leaders who say the legislation would shift significant decision-making authority from cities to the province. Tabled in late October, the bill—known as the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act—seeks to accelerate homebuilding by giving the housing minister greater control over planning approvals.
What the Proposed Changes Would Mean
Under Bill 60, planning decisions made by the minister would no longer be required to follow Ontario’s provincial land-use planning statement, a document that guides municipalities on housing needs, environmental protection, and long-term growth. Experts warn that bypassing this framework could weaken local planning tools and destabilize land-use expectations across the province.
Where Municipal Authority May Be Diminished
Municipalities worry the legislation would limit their ability to manage development on sensitive lands, employment zones, and publicly owned properties—especially near transit corridors. Critics say approvals could move forward without public consultation, particularly on provincial lands such as areas around GO stations and surplus government sites.
Why Experts Say the Bill Raises Red Flags
Luisa Sotomayor, a planning director at the University of Toronto, cautions that the expansion of ministerial discretion may erode municipalities’ capacity to protect environmentally sensitive zones. Others, including The Atmospheric Fund’s Bryan Purcell, argue the move may undercut investor confidence by eliminating consistent planning rules developers rely on to assess risk.
How the Government Justifies the Overhaul
The Ford government maintains Bill 60 will streamline planning processes, boost housing supply, and create predictable conditions for building. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack has described the legislation as a tool to “cut delays” and “bring stability” to the market, emphasizing that all ministerial decisions will continue to be made public to ensure transparency.
Impact on Green Development Standards
Alongside Bill 60, the province has already repealed Toronto’s green roof bylaw and is considering further rollbacks to the city’s green development standards. These include requirements for features such as bike parking, permeable pavement, native tree planting, and EV-charging infrastructure. Critics say removing these measures may stall climate-resilient construction practices that Toronto has built over more than a decade.
Industry Concerns About Long-Term Stability
Low-carbon development advocates warn that weakening green standards could slow the transition to net-zero goals and increase climate-related risks such as urban heat and flooding. Developers may also delay projects while waiting for more favourable rules, further complicating the province’s goal of building homes faster.
Next Steps for the Province
Ontario is now conducting online consultations on future standards, including environmental requirements tied to new builds. Urban planners argue that any province-wide changes must account for climate realities and local needs, warning that uniform policies could overlook crucial regional differences.
