Regulation - Minister
Proposed amendments to O. Reg. 509/20 under the Planning Act in support of the proposed More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg 509/20 (Community Benefits Charges and Parkland)
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Minister
Bill or Act:
Planning Act
Summary of Decision:
On April 27, 2022, new regulatory amendments were filed and came into force.
These amendments:
-Specify that reports on special accounts for community benefits charges (CBCs) and parkland dedication are to be made public on a municipal website.
-Require municipalities to report on how the municipal need for parks, set out within their parks plans, is being addressed through parkland dedication and related levies and to post these reports on municipal websites.
-Currently, under the Planning Act, parks plans are required before municipal official plan policies for alternative parkland dedication rates may be adopted.
-If a municipality does not have a parks plan, this new requirement would not apply to them.
The new regulatory provisions support the More Homes for Everyone Plan by increasing transparency of development-related charges.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing posted the proposal on the Regulatory Registry on March 30, 2022. The regulation aligns with the proposal posted for public consultation. Comments received from stakeholders advocated for municipal discretion to determine the level of detail provided in the annual report. The final regulation provides this flexibility and discretion to municipalities.
These changes will enhance transparency and accountability of growth-related municipal infrastructure charges by enhancing existing municipal reporting requirements.
These amendments:
-Specify that reports on special accounts for community benefits charges (CBCs) and parkland dedication are to be made public on a municipal website.
-Require municipalities to report on how the municipal need for parks, set out within their parks plans, is being addressed through parkland dedication and related levies and to post these reports on municipal websites.
-Currently, under the Planning Act, parks plans are required before municipal official plan policies for alternative parkland dedication rates may be adopted.
-If a municipality does not have a parks plan, this new requirement would not apply to them.
The new regulatory provisions support the More Homes for Everyone Plan by increasing transparency of development-related charges.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing posted the proposal on the Regulatory Registry on March 30, 2022. The regulation aligns with the proposal posted for public consultation. Comments received from stakeholders advocated for municipal discretion to determine the level of detail provided in the annual report. The final regulation provides this flexibility and discretion to municipalities.
These changes will enhance transparency and accountability of growth-related municipal infrastructure charges by enhancing existing municipal reporting requirements.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The amendment applies to all Ontario municipalities that have a CBC by-law and/or that use parkland dedication provisions under the Planning Act.
It enhances existing reporting requirements for these two municipally imposed levies. Although municipalities must currently make this reporting available to the public, the method to do so had not been specified.
The proposal ensures that reporting would be made available to the public on a municipal website, which many municipalities already do. This change would increase transparency and help ensure that this information is easily accessible to the public.
Regarding parks plans, municipalities are now required to report on how parkland conveyed to the municipality and funds collected through parkland dedication levies are being spent and/or used in accordance with their parks plans, and to post this report on their website. This would increase transparency and accountability of the parkland requirements levied on new development.
As the proposals would clarify and enhance existing reporting requirements the financial impact on the municipal sector is expected to be minimal.
It enhances existing reporting requirements for these two municipally imposed levies. Although municipalities must currently make this reporting available to the public, the method to do so had not been specified.
The proposal ensures that reporting would be made available to the public on a municipal website, which many municipalities already do. This change would increase transparency and help ensure that this information is easily accessible to the public.
Regarding parks plans, municipalities are now required to report on how parkland conveyed to the municipality and funds collected through parkland dedication levies are being spent and/or used in accordance with their parks plans, and to post this report on their website. This would increase transparency and accountability of the parkland requirements levied on new development.
As the proposals would clarify and enhance existing reporting requirements the financial impact on the municipal sector is expected to be minimal.
Further Information:
O. Reg 509/20 “Community Benefits Charges and Parkland” under the Planning Act
Proposal Number:
22-MMAH009
Posting Date:
March 30, 2022
Summary of Proposal:
Ontario is the best place to live, start a business and raise a family - but we can only build on our success if all Ontarians and their families are able to find a home that's right for them. The province's housing policies are working to get more homes built faster, but too many Ontarians still struggle to find a home. We are introducing More Homes for Everyone, that proposes targeted policies for the immediate term that make housing fairer for hard-working Ontarians and make it faster to build the homes that families need and deserve.
Addressing the housing supply crisis is a long-term strategy that requires long-term commitment and co-ordination from all levels of government.
The Task Force report is our long-term housing roadmap. Similar to Ontario's approach with regular Red Tape Reduction bills, the province is committed to implementing the Task Force's recommendations with a housing supply action plan every year over four years, starting in 2022-2023, with policies and tools that support multi-generational homes and missing middle housing.
The proposed regulatory amendments under the Planning Act would enhance transparency of growth-related municipal infrastructure levies by enhancing existing municipal reporting requirements.
Amendments would:
-Specify how reporting on community benefits charges (CBCs) and parkland dedication levies are to be made public such as on a municipal website.
-Require municipalities to report on how the municipal need for parks, set out within their parks plans, is being addressed through parkland dedication levies.
-Currently, under the Planning Act, parks plans are only required before municipal official plan policies for alternative parkland dedication rates are adopted. If a municipality does not have a parks plan, this requirement would not apply to them.
Addressing the housing supply crisis is a long-term strategy that requires long-term commitment and co-ordination from all levels of government.
The Task Force report is our long-term housing roadmap. Similar to Ontario's approach with regular Red Tape Reduction bills, the province is committed to implementing the Task Force's recommendations with a housing supply action plan every year over four years, starting in 2022-2023, with policies and tools that support multi-generational homes and missing middle housing.
The proposed regulatory amendments under the Planning Act would enhance transparency of growth-related municipal infrastructure levies by enhancing existing municipal reporting requirements.
Amendments would:
-Specify how reporting on community benefits charges (CBCs) and parkland dedication levies are to be made public such as on a municipal website.
-Require municipalities to report on how the municipal need for parks, set out within their parks plans, is being addressed through parkland dedication levies.
-Currently, under the Planning Act, parks plans are only required before municipal official plan policies for alternative parkland dedication rates are adopted. If a municipality does not have a parks plan, this requirement would not apply to them.
Contact Address:
Ruchi Parkash
Director, Municipal Finance Policy Branch
Ruchi.Parkash@ontario.ca
Director, Municipal Finance Policy Branch
Ruchi.Parkash@ontario.ca
Effective Date:
April 27, 2022
Decision:
Approved