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McGuinty Government Releases Landmark Plan to Shape the Future of the Greater Golden Horseshoe18 June 2006
The McGuinty government is ensuring that the Greater Golden Horseshoe can attract new businesses and support a high quality of life for residents with the final Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, released today by Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan.
"The Growth Plan is a visionary plan to create better-planned communities and more opportunities for economic prosperity," said Caplan. "It will create better-planned communities, with more options for living, working, shopping and playing."
The focus of the Places To Grow plan is the creation of complete communities, with a greater mix of businesses, services, housing and parks that will make them more livable. The plan sets standards for municipal planning that will help to:
<<
- stimulate economic prosperity
- revitalize downtowns
- encourage more compact communities, with services, shops and
businesses close to home
- preserve greenspace and agricultural lands that are under pressure in
the GGH
- curb urban sprawl
- cut down on car dependency
- contribute to better air quality
- spur transit investment and create conditions favourable to public
transit use
- promote a culture of conservation.
>>
"This is an historic plan," said Hazel McCallion, Mayor of the City of Mississauga. "I commend the government for taking this bold step to make our communities strong, livable and healthy, now and in the future."
"The Places to Grow initiative will lay the foundation for economic opportunity, strong communities and environmental health for this region," said David Crombie, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute. "It is an important example of the province thinking big, which can only lead to greater prosperity."
The Greater Golden Horseshoe is the fastest-growing urban region in Canada and the third fastest-growing in North America. It is the economic engine of Ontario's economy, accounting for 70 per cent of Ontario's - and 30 per cent of Canada's - Gross Domestic Product. By 2031, the area is expected to grow by 3.7 million people. Currently, almost two-thirds of Ontario's residents live in this region.
The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe recognizes that one size does not fit all. It sets clear standards for growth and development, while giving local governments the flexibility they need to address local circumstances.
"A strong and vibrant Greater Golden Horseshoe is important to the future prosperity of not just Ontario, but the entire country," said the Honourable Michael Harcourt, former Premier of British Columbia, currently the Chair of the Prime Minister's External Advisory Committee on Cities and Communities. "The province of Ontario is to be commended for putting in place such a bold and ambitious growth plan for this region. Ontario's Places To Grow initiative will quickly become a model for urban regions across Canada."
<<
Other provincial initiatives that support the new Growth Plan include:
- dedicating $838 million this year to expand and modernize public
transit in the GTA
- providing new streetcars, buses and routes by delivering $1 billion
in gas tax revenues for transit across Ontario
- introducing legislation that, if passed, would establish the Greater
Toronto Transportation Authority (GTTA) and enable it to plan and
coordinate a transportation system consistent with the Growth Plan
- targeting $7.5 billion in infrastructure investments to improve
hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and water systems in the area
through the government's long-term infrastructure investment plan,
ReNew Ontario
- preserving 1.8 million acres of valuable agricultural land and
greenspace by creating the Greenbelt in the heart of the Greater
Golden Horseshoe.
>>
"For over two decades we've had poorly planned growth that has eaten up prime farmland and given us smog and gridlock," said Chris Winter, Executive Director of the Conservation Council of Ontario. "Now, finally, we have a chance to build more compact, transit-supportive, cycling and pedestrian- friendly communities. This is a positive step towards healthier communities and a stronger, more resilient economy."
"The Ontario College of Family Physicians recognizes the importance of developing and implementing strategies to control sprawling growth - and the need to plan for safe and healthy communities," said Jan Kasperski, Executive Director and CEO, Ontario College of Family Physicians. "The release of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe is a major step forward in urban planning to support the health of the patients we serve."
The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe - the first growth plan to be released under the Places to Grow Act, 2005 - will be implemented over the next 25 years.
<<
Disponible en français
www.ontario.ca/placestogrow
Backgrounder
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLACES TO GROW: BETTER CHOICES. BRIGHTER FUTURE.
THE GROWTH PLAN FOR THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE
>>
For the first time ever, Ontario is taking a long-term approach to regional growth and development. On June 16, 2006, the government of Ontario released the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
The plan will build opportunities for the people of Ontario by promoting economic prosperity and creating better-planned communities. The first growth plan to be released under the Places to Grow Act, passed in June 2005, it outlines the government's long-term vision for the area.
Municipal leaders, developers, environmentalists, health groups and residents have all called for a stronger provincial role in curbing urban sprawl and planning for the region's growth, in order to ensure an exceptional quality of life.
The focus of the plan is to create complete communities, with a greater mix of businesses, services, housing and parks that will make them more livable. The plan sets clear standards for growth and development, while giving local governments the flexibility they need to address local circumstances.
The province's new standards for municipal planning will lead to better use of the lands already built on in the region. This will translate into a better mix of housing choices for young professionals, families, empty-nesters and seniors - so that communities can accommodate people at all stages of their lives. It also means that more shops, services and businesses close to home will make people less dependent on their cars. As well, strategic investment in public transit will make it a more popular form of transportation.
<<
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PLAN
1. Transportation: Moving People, Moving Goods - Transit is the plan's
first investment priority for moving people throughout the area. The
2006 Budget committed $838 million to new transit projects throughout
the Greater Toronto Area alone. Our communities will be built with
the densities necessary to sustain this transit investment and
support more vibrant, physically active lifestyles. Municipalities
must now integrate walking and cycling opportunities into their
transportation planning. As well, economic corridors linking the area
to the border will make it easier to get our goods to market.
2. Improving Growth Forecasts: Building a Common Understanding - The
government has worked with municipalities in the region to develop a
consistent and coordinated set of population and employment growth
forecasts that will be the basis for planning.
3. Intensification: Getting Better Use Out of Urban Lands - The plan
includes a phased approach to increasing intensification in the area,
enabling municipalities to develop policies and strategies to achieve
urban redevelopment in a way that respects and complements community
character. By the year 2015 (and every year after), all regions,
counties and single-tier municipalities will accommodate a minimum of
40 per cent of new residential units within their already built-up
urban areas.
4. Urban Growth Centres: Vibrant Places for People - Recognizing the
important role that downtown areas play, the plan identifies 25 urban
growth centres, to be revitalized as community focal points, as
centres of culture and as economic generators that will attract new
talent and investment.
5. Employment Lands: Ensuring Jobs for the Future - The plan requires
municipalities to maintain an adequate supply of lands to support a
variety of employment uses now and in the future, including
manufacturing and major office and institutional development.
6. Designated Greenfield Areas: Building Better Suburbs - While the
Growth Plan will revitalize our urban areas, making them more livable
and attractive to new growth, new development will also continue in
currently non-urbanized areas, known as designated greenfield areas.
These lands will be planned to create communities that support
walking, biking, transit, parks and a mix of housing and job options.
7. Urban Boundary Expansion: Managing Urban Growth - The plan outlines a
series of tests and criteria to ensure that urban expansions happen
only when necessary and where appropriate.
8. Rural Areas: Supporting and Protecting the Rural Economy -
Recognizing the importance of rural communities to the economic
future of the area, the plan strengthens their role as centres of
economic, cultural and social activity.
9. Protecting What is Valuable - Recognizing the priceless natural
heritage of the area, and that clean water, energy, and air are vital
to our future, the plan outlines a process to identify and preserve
natural systems and prime agricultural areas -and encourages a
culture of conservation.
10. Infrastructure - The plan provides the framework for infrastructure
investment in the area so that existing and future investments are
optimized to serve growth to 2031 and beyond - particularly in the
three key areas of transportation, water and wastewater systems and
community infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals.
A GOVERNMENT-WIDE COMMITMENT
Many Ontario government initiatives support and complement the Growth
Plan:
- The 2006 Ontario Budget announced $838 million in public transit
investments for the area as part of its new $1.2 billion Move Ontario
transportation initiative.
- If passed, recently introduced legislation would establish the
Greater Toronto Transportation Authority, promote a region-wide
seamless and integrated transportation plan for road, rail and
transit and create a single fare card that commuters could use across
GTA transit systems.
- Renew Ontario, the government's long-term infrastructure investment
plan, has targeted $7.5 billion for infrastructure investment in the
GGH.
- The Greenbelt Plan protects 1.8 million acres of natural areas and
agricultural lands at the heart of the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
- Proposed legislation would reform Ontario's land-use planning system
and clarify the role of the Ontario Municipal Board.
- Planned legislation to introduce a new municipal fiscal tool, Tax
Increment Financing (TIF), on a pilot basis, if passed, would assist
municipalities in brownfield and public infrastructure development.
- The revitalization of downtowns in the area is being encouraged
through brownfield redevelopment initiatives.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit www.ontario.ca/placestogrow for additional materials about the
Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Contact:
Barbara McIntosh
Communications Branch
416-212-7518
Disponible en français
Backgrounder
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLACES TO GROW: BETTER CHOICES. BRIGHTER FUTURE.
THE GROWTH PLAN FOR THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE
>>
On June 16, 2006, the Government of Ontario released the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe to improve quality of life for everyone in Ontario through better-planned communities.
The plan was developed and launched with the support of a number of stakeholder groups representing key sectors in the province, including:
<<
MAYORS OF THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE
Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion
"This is a historic plan. I commend the government for taking this
bold step to make our communities strong, livable and healthy, now
and in the future."
Toronto Mayor David Miller
"The province should be commended for delivering this Growth Plan for
the Greater Golden Horseshoe. It will support Toronto's efforts for
intensification in our urban centres, protect our valuable natural
and cultural heritage, and support the economic competitiveness of
the City of Toronto and the entire region."
Hamilton Mayor Larry Di Ianni
"We welcome the release of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden
Horseshoe. This approach to planning for the region's growth is what
is needed to ensure that our communities are strong and prosperous in
the future."
Waterloo Region Chair Ken Seiling
"We have long recognized that growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
will impact all of us. The Growth Plan is long overdue but is
necessary and will complement the Growth Management Plan we have
adopted for the Region of Waterloo. There will be challenges for all
of us but the support of the province is one of the keys to success."
Oshawa Mayor John Gray
"We are pleased that the Growth Plan recognizes the importance of
revitalizing downtowns and urban areas. The Growth Plan complements
our vision for downtown Oshawa as a vibrant centre where people can
live, work and play."
Brantford Mayor Mike Hancock
"The province's vision for this region supports my own community's
vision for a prosperous and environmentally sustainable Brantford."
Burlington Mayor Rob MacIsaac
"The City of Burlington is proud to have been a part of this
important achievement. The Growth Plan addresses Burlington's
priorities of accommodating the right kind of growth while protecting
our environment."
Niagara Region Chair Peter Partington
"The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe recognizes the
important role of Niagara Region as a gateway between Ontario and the
United States. The Growth Plan provides an excellent opportunity for
the Niagara region and the province economically. We look forward to
working with the province on the implementation of the Growth Plan."
Markham Mayor Don Cousens
"The Growth Plan effectively allows the Town of Markham to address
our own municipal needs, while at the same time connecting us with a
larger vision for the region as a whole."
Barrie Mayor Rob Hamilton
"This kind of coordinated, 'big picture' approach is exactly what
this region needs. As one of Ontario's fastest growing cities, the
City of Barrie is committed to managing the growth that is coming to
this area, and the policies in the Growth Plan will help us do that."
Peterborough Mayor Sylvia Sutherland
"Places to Grow provides a much needed shift in land use planning,
and Peterborough has a lot to gain from this plan. The province's
focus on revitalizing downtowns and urban areas makes sense for the
city and we look forward to working together with the province on
this."
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS
The Hon. Michael Harcourt, Chair, Prime Minister's External Advisory
Committee on Cities and Communities (and former Mayor of Vancouver and
Premier of British Columbia)
"A strong and vibrant Greater Golden Horseshoe is important to the
future prosperity of not just Ontario, but the entire country. The
Province of Ontario is to be commended for putting in place such a
bold and ambitious Growth Plan for this region. Ontario's Places To
Grow initiative will quickly become a model for urban regions across
Canada."
William H. Hudnut, Chair for Public Policy, Urban Land Institute,
Washington, D.C. (and former Mayor of Indianapolis and Indiana
Congressman)
"Places to Grow points to a better and smarter way: strategic
government planning and investment that produce communities with the
right mix of housing, a good range of jobs, convenient transit, and
easy access to stores and services to meet people's daily needs."
David Crombie, President and CEO, Canadian Urban Institute
"The Places to Grow initiative will lay the foundation for economic
opportunity, strong communities and environmental health for this
region. It is an important example of the province thinking big,
which can only lead to greater prosperity."
Parris N. Glendening, President, Smart Growth Leadership Institute,
Washington, D.C. (and former Governor of Maryland)
"This plan will be a model for all of North America. In my work as
Smart Growth Leadership Institute President, it is among the very
best I have seen anywhere."
John Norquist, President, Congress for the New Urbanism, Washington, D.C.
"I congratulate Ontario for showing the leadership to confront urban
sprawl and adopt a plan that is focused on revitalizing urban centres
and towns, creating complete communities in new suburban areas,
balancing development of jobs and housing and conserving nature.
Experience across North America demonstrates that good plans foster
communities where people want to live, and businesses choose to
invest."
Glen Murray, Chair, National Roundtable on the Environment and the
Economy (and former Mayor of Winnipeg)
"Ontario is setting the pace in Canada in the development of
sustainable community planning. This region is the economic engine of
Canada and keeping it healthy is in the interest of all Canadians.
Places to Grow shifts land use and transportation planning from
wasteful to sustainable and is a policy that will enrich the legacy
we leave our children."
Joe Berridge, Partner, Urban Strategies Inc.
"The big issue facing the Greater Golden Horseshoe is how this
wonderful but challenging rate of growth can be managed over the next
decades. Places to Grow represents a strategic plan that will make
Ontario a world leader in large-scale regional management. The vision
for the region is one of thriving, livable and productive communities
with a high quality of life and environmental protection. The Growth
Plan will make that vision a reality."
Eric Miller, Director, University of Toronto Joint Program in
Transportation
"The province has developed a long overdue plan that helps tackle the
transportation and environmental challenges of this region. By
increasing the transportation choices available to the region's
residents, the Growth Plan will help to reduce gridlock and traffic
congestion, and improve the quality of the air we breathe."
David Amborski, Professor and Director, School of Urban and Regional
Planning, Ryerson University
"The absence of large-scale comprehensive planning has resulted in
the loss of greenspace and development patterns that don't support
transit and consequently contribute to pollution and smog. The Growth
Plan will help set us on a new path that leads to greater
transportation choices, more livable communities, reduced development
pressure on our natural areas, and a cleaner environment."
OTHER SECTOR LEADERS
Conservation Council of Ontario Executive Director Chris Winter
"For over two decades we've had poorly planned growth that has eaten
up prime farmland and given us smog and gridlock. Now, finally, we
have a chance to build more compact, transit-supportive, cycling and
pedestrian-friendly communities. This is a positive step towards
healthier communities and a stronger, more resilient economy."
Urban Development Institute President Neil Rodgers
"The Growth Plan is a significant achievement that will ensure the
future growth and economic competitiveness of the region and
province. It demonstrates the province's leadership in planning for
growth and infrastructure investment in the Greater Golden
Horseshoe."
Ontario College of Family Physicians CEO Jan Kasperski
"The Ontario College of Family Physicians recognizes the importance
of developing and implementing strategies to control sprawling growth
and the need to plan for safe and healthy communities. The release of
the Growth Plan for the Greater Horseshoe is a major step forward in
urban planning to support the health of the patients we serve."
Ontario Home Builders' Association President Victor Fiume
"Through Places to Grow, the government has provided a level of
direction and coordination that will help the home-building industry
build healthy and vibrant communities throughout the region."
Heart and Stroke Foundation CEO Rocco Rossi
"The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario has repeatedly advocated
for improvements to the way our communities are designed and built,
so that they are more walkable, transit-friendly and heart-healthy.
From a health perspective, we strongly support all efforts, including
the Ontario Government's Growth Plan for the Greater Golden
Horseshoe, to improve the built environment."
Greater Toronto Home Builders' Association President Desi Auciello
"The home-building industry is committed to building affordable
communities that provide residents with a range of choices for
living, shopping, working and playing. The Greater Golden Horseshoe
Growth Plan represents a comprehensive provincial blueprint that
brings together planning for growth with planning for infrastructure,
which is critical to the economic health of our industry and the
region as a whole. We look forward to the opportunity to work
together with municipalities and the province on the Growth Plan's
implementation."
Diamante Development Corporation Co-President Julie Di Lorenzo
"The Growth Plan's principles of efficient land use through urban
intensification, and improved infrastructure such as more efficient
public transit, are fundamentally important to the future of our
environment, quality of life and economic competitiveness. Here at
Diamante, we look forward to implementing this plan with our
colleagues in the building and development community."
Canadian Urban Transit Association President and CEO Michael Roschlau
"The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe makes a major
contribution to sustainable planning in Ontario. The Growth Plan
recognizes the importance of creating communities that are transit-
friendly, and the critical role that an effective transportation
network with expanded public transit infrastructure services and
choices plays in the creation of livable communities and a cleaner
environment."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit www.ontario.ca/placestogrow for additional materials about the
Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Contact:
Barbara McIntosh
Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal
416-212-7518
Disponible en français
Backgrounder
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRENGTHENING ONTARIO'S INFRASTRUCTURE
IN THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE
>>
The Ontario government is on track to deliver over $8.3 billion in infrastructure investment to the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
More than $7.5 billion through ReNew Ontario, the government's five-year infrastructure investment plan, will be invested to improve infrastructure in the area, with an additional $838 million - from the Move Ontario initiative announced in the 2006 Budget - made available for new strategic transit initiatives.
<<
HIGHLIGHTS
Transit and Transportation
The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe identifies transit investment as the first priority for moving people in the region.
- Through ReNew Ontario, the province will invest over $4.1 billion
over five years to renew and expand public transit systems in the
area.
- In addition to commitments under ReNew Ontario, the province's new
Move Ontario initiative will help move forward strategic transit
projects in the GTA with $838 million made available in Toronto, York
Region, Mississauga and Brampton.
- The province, the federal government and GTA municipalities are
making a multi-year investment of $1.05 billion to expand GO Transit
service in the GGH.
- Three new GO stations opened at Mount Joy, Kennedy and Milliken in
2005-06 and construction of another station in Mississauga is planned
to begin this fall, to open early in 2007.
- Legislation was introduced in April 2006 to establish the Greater
Toronto Transportation Authority (GTTA). If passed, the proposed
legislation would enable the GTTA to plan and coordinate a
transportation system consistent with the Growth Plan.
- The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is receiving over $1 billion for
the city's transit priorities from the province, the federal
government and the City of Toronto.
- Investments in the area provincial highway network will improve
traffic flow and support productivity and economic growth in the
region. Projects include major rehabilitation work on Highway 401
across Toronto and widening the QEW through St. Catharines to reduce
congestion and improve access to the border.
- Environmental assessments are proceeding for the extension of Highway
427 in Vaughan, the Niagara-GTA corridor, the GTA West corridor and
407 East.
- Widening Highway 406 near Welland will support growth and development
in the Gateway Economic Centre and Gateway Economic Zone, consistent
with the Growth Plan.
- The province, together with the federal government and other
partners, is investing $207 million to improve border infrastructure
in the Niagara region.
>>
Health
Investments in health care facilities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe will reduce wait times, expand clinical services in growing areas, modernize out-dated health care facilities and enable the government to better respond to known and emerging threats to public health. These investments will ensure that the necessary health care infrastructure is in place to support growth.
<<
- In total, it is estimated that provincial investments will generate a
total multi-year investment in area hospitals of $6.1 billion.
- New state-of-the-art hospitals to replace outdated facilities are
being planned and built in Peterborough, St. Catharines, Grimsby,
Markham, Halton and Toronto.
- In 2005-06, 11 new or redeveloped long-term care homes were opened in
the area, with 540 new beds and the redevelopment of 649 existing
beds.
- The province is also investing $23 million over three years to
support the relocation of a significant component of the Central
Public Health Laboratory in Toronto.
Education
Enrolment growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe is being met with investments in education infrastructure that will also improve the learning environment for students attending schools and postsecondary institutions.
- The area will benefit from provincial funding that will support the
creation of 14,000 new graduate school spaces across the province
over the next four years.
- The province is also creating 104 new first-year medical school
spaces. Over 60 per cent of these will be located in the area,
including 26 spaces at the University of Toronto at Mississauga and
38 spaces at McMaster University.
- The province has also invested $52 million to complete university and
college expansion projects at Ryerson, York, Brock, Wilfrid Laurier
and McMaster Universities, the University of Guelph and the
University of Toronto, as well as Seneca and Mohawk colleges.
Justice
Investments of almost $600 million are planned for courts, jails, and other justice facilities in the area by 2010.
- Construction planning is underway on a former industrial site in
downtown Oshawa for a new state-of-the-art Durham Region courthouse.
- New courthouses are also being planned for Guelph and the Waterloo
Region.
- A new Greater Toronto Area Youth Centre will be built in Brampton for
youth in conflict with the law.
Water
Making certain that water and wastewater infrastructure is in place to support growth is a priority of the Growth Plan. The plan includes policies to link planning for water and sewer systems with planning for growth. A wide array of projects - led by the province, the federal government and municipal partners - will create tangible environmental benefits and provide clean, safe drinking water to residents of the area. Below are a few examples.
- More than 37 water and environmental projects, including recycling
initiatives, landfill remediation, water treatment system
improvements, waste reduction and decommissioning projects, sanitary
sewage collection systems, environmental centres, water and
wastewater infrastructure, and harbour cleanups.
- Completion of the District Heating Plant in Hamilton and planning for
improvements to the city's wastewater treatment system and harbour
cleanup.
- Completion of an Environmental Centre in the Niagara Region and
start-up of work on a Biosolids Processing facility in that area.
- Planning work for the remediation of Whitby Harbour.
- Development of a sanitary sewage collection system in Niagara Falls.
More Community Benefits
A variety of other initiatives support the Growth Plan's goal of improving the quality of life for the people who live in the Greater Golden Horseshoe and maximizing the benefits of growth.
- The government's highest waterfront priority is the revitalization of
the provincially owned West Don Lands in Toronto. The brownfield site
is being transformed into a successful urban neighbourhood - with
affordable housing, parks and public space, new light rail transit,
childcare centres and an elementary school.
- Government investments totalling $49 million were announced in the
2006 Budget for major area cultural agencies and attractions,
including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the
National Ballet School, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, the Royal
Conservatory of Music and the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing
Arts.
Contact:
Barbara McIntosh
Communications Branch
416-212-7518
Disponible en français
www.pir.gov.on.ca
>>
For further information: Wilson Lee, Minister's Office, (416) 325-8735; Barbara McIntosh, Communications Branch, (416) 212-7518
Source: newswire
All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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