4.0 Implementation and interpretation

4.1 This Provincial Policy Statement applies to all decisions in respect of the exercise of any authority that affects a planning matter made on or after April 30, 2014.

4.2 In accordance with section 3 of the Planning Act, a decision of the council of a municipality, a local board, a planning board, a minister of the Crown and a ministry, board, commission or agency of the government, including the Municipal Board, in respect of the exercise of any authority that affects a planning matter, “shall be consistent with” this Provincial Policy Statement.

Comments, submissions or advice that affect a planning matter that are provided by the council of a municipality, a local board, a planning board, a minister or ministry, board, commission or agency of the government “shall be consistent with” this Provincial Policy Statement.

4.3 This Provincial Policy Statement shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the recognition and affirmation of existing Aboriginal and treaty rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

4.4  This Provincial Policy Statement shall be read in its entirety and all relevant policies are to be applied to each situation.

4.5 In implementing the Provincial Policy Statement, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing may take into account other considerations when making decisions to support strong communities, a clean and healthy environment and the economic vitality of the Province.

4.6 This Provincial Policy Statement shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

4.7 The official plan is the most important vehicle for implementation of this Provincial Policy Statement.  Comprehensive, integrated and long-term planning is best achieved through official plans.

Official plans shall identify provincial interests and set out appropriate land use designations and policies.  To determine the significance of some natural heritage features and other resources, evaluation may be required.

Official plans should also coordinate cross-boundary matters to complement the actions of other planning authorities and promote mutually beneficial solutions.  Official plans shall provide clear, reasonable and attainable policies to protect provincial interests and direct development to suitable areas.

In order to protect provincial interests, planning authorities shall keep their official plans up-to-date with this Provincial Policy Statement.  The policies of this Provincial Policy Statement continue to apply after adoption and approval of an official plan.

4.8 Zoning and development permit by-laws are important for implementation of this Provincial Policy Statement.  Planning authorities shall keep their zoning and development permit by-laws up-to-date with their official plans and this Provincial Policy Statement.

4.9 The policies of this Provincial Policy Statement represent minimum standards.  This Provincial Policy Statement does not prevent planning authorities and decision-makers from going beyond the minimum standards established in specific policies, unless doing so would conflict with any policy of this Provincial Policy Statement.

4.10 A wide range of legislation, regulations, policies, and plans may apply to decisions with respect to Planning Act applications.  In some cases, a Planning Act proposal may also require approval under other legislation or regulation, and policies and plans issued under other legislation may also apply.

4.11 In addition to land use approvals under the Planning Act, infrastructure may also require approval under other legislation and regulations.  An environmental assessment process may be applied to new infrastructure and modifications to existing infrastructure under applicable legislation.

There may be circumstances where land use approvals under the Planning Act may be integrated with approvals under other legislation, for example, integrating the planning processes and approvals under the Environmental Assessment Act and the Planning Act, provided the intent and requirements of both Acts are met.

4.12 Provincial plans shall be read in conjunction with this Provincial Policy Statement and take precedence over policies in this Provincial Policy Statement to the extent of any conflict, except where legislation establishing provincial plans provides otherwise.  Examples of these are plans created under the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, the Ontario Planning and Development Act, 1994, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001, the Greenbelt Act, 2005 and the Places to Grow Act, 2005.

4.13 Within the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin, there may be circumstances where planning authorities should consider agreements related to the protection or restoration of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin.  Examples of these agreements include Great Lakes agreements between Ontario and Canada, between Ontario, Quebec and the Great Lakes States of the United States of America, and between Canada and the United States of America.

4.14 The Province, in consultation with municipalities, other public bodies and stakeholders shall identify performance indicators for measuring the effectiveness of some or all of the policies.  The Province shall monitor their implementation, including reviewing performance indicators concurrent with any review of this Provincial Policy Statement.

4.15 Municipalities are encouraged to establish performance indicators to monitor the implementation of the policies in their official plans.

5.0 Figure 1. Natural Heritage Protection Line (PDF)

Map of Ontario showing the natural heritage protection line.