The Official Plan and the “Five Big Moves”
First, locally. Ottawa’s new Official Plan (OP) was approved by the Province of Ontario in 2022 after several years of consultation. The OP establishes the vision for how the city will grow to 2046. It introduced five “Big Policy Moves” to guide that growth:
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Intensification first: By the end of the planning period, more growth will come from intensification than from greenfield development.
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Sustainable transportation: By 2046, most trips will be made by walking, cycling, or transit.
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Better design: Improve our sophistication in urban and community design, from large to small scales.
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Resiliency: Embed environmental, climate, and health resiliency into planning policies.
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Economic integration: Integrate economic development directly into land use planning.
The City of Ottawa is also in the process of updating our new Zoning By-Law, will translate the policy goals of the OP into rules that determine what can be built and where — without the need for additional permissions. I published about this earlier this year: The Big Picture: Ottawa's Zoning By-law Review (Part 1) - Laine Johnson, College Ward
“A Creature of the Province”
It’s often said that “Ottawa is a creature of the province” — and that is quite literal. Municipalities in Ontario exist because the province allows them to, and our authority is defined through provincial legislation.
Many residents still recall the 2001 amalgamation, when the provincial government under Premier Mike Harris’s leadership, merged smaller cities, towns, and rural areas into the current City of Ottawa. That decision left lasting feelings about how little consideration was given to local identity and community character — concerns that continue to echo in today’s planning conversations.
Provincial Legislation: Shifting Policy
In recent years, the Province has passed several bills aimed at accelerating housing construction to meet population growth targets — often without municipal input or consideration for local context. Parts of some legislation has been walked back, and some are still unclear as they contain provisions such as “At the Minister’s discretion.” Broadly, these laws brought in significant changes, including but not limited to:
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Allow up to three residential units “as of right” on any serviced property;
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Exempt developments of ten or fewer units from Site Plan Control;
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Reduce opportunities for public input;
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Delegate Site Plan approval to staff rather than Council;
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Expand authority for MZOs;
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Limiting affordability requirements;
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Significantly restrict public appeals to the OLT.
These new laws, listed below, came only shortly after the Province of Ontario approved Ottawa’s Official Plan, with an additional 30 unappealable modifications made by the Province, in 2022. It has been chaotic, to say the least. Even as we were writing this, the Province dropped a new bill proposing further changes. I have included it the list with other bills, below.
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Bill
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Title
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Key provisions
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Bill 109
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More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022
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Amended Planning Act timelines, OLT processes, fees, and zoning procedures
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Bill 23
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More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022
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Sweeping land use and planning reforms; altered DCs, zoning, official plans, OLT appeals
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Bill 134
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Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act, 2023
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Revised DC Act definitions; affects affordable housing incentives and municipal costs
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Bill 150
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Planning Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023
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Reversed select official plan changes; amended Planning Act remedies
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Bill 185
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Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024
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Changes to parking minimums near transit, institutional planning exemptions, DC timing
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Bill 17
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Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025
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Standardized approvals; further Planning Act amendments on complete applications
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Bill 60
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Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025.
*Announced Oct 23, 2025, has not received Royal Assent.
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Adds limitations on road design, changes to application process, transit-oriented development
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Who Has the Final Say?
Residents often ask how they can fight or refuse projects proposed projects by private developers. While I work hard to advocate for community concerns and have secured meaningful changes to many applications, most decision-making power ultimately lies within the provincial framework, and the province can overturn municipal decisions. This is done in two key ways:
The OLT - If there’s a dispute between the City and the Province, it can be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), which has jurisdiction over municipal planning matters. The City rarely succeeds at the OLT, and the costs of these hearings are covered by property tax revenue.
Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) - This policy allows the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to directly zone land. MZOs override municipal zoning and cannot be appealed to the OLT by anyone. A recent audit found that many MZO packages lacked critical information about servicing, natural hazards, and the potential impact on surrounding developments.
Moving Forward Together
We all want to feel empowered and have a say in shaping our communities. While many of these policy changes may feel distant or top-down, I encourage you to stay engaged — write to me, talk with your neighbours, share your experiences, write letters, come speak at Committee, and reach out to the Premier and provincial representatives. Your voice matters, and it helps keep the conversation about how Ottawa grows grounded in community.
As the City moves toward adopting a new Zoning By-law in early 2026, alongside two ongoing secondary plans in College Ward for 2026-27, and several infill and larger developments always ongoing, I often hear from residents with concerns about density, parks, parking, school capacity, shadows, transportation, property standards, and property values. Many residents also share they are excited by the new opportunities and growth these changes could bring. 
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