A land use amendment is required to change area-specific land use policy or a land use area boundary. A change may be needed to incorporate information resulting from new government policy; a need expressed by the public; changing resource conditions; or new information. Depending on the significance of the proposed change, the resulting land use amendments would be classified as: administrative, minor, or major.
Administrative amendments:
- document and implement a higher level government decision
- correct minor errors or omissions
- update information
Public consultation is not required for an administrative amendment.
Minor and major amendments - if an amendment is not administrative, it is classified as either minor or major, and is screened in terms of three criteria:
- the change in land use intent
- the projected extent and level of public reaction
- the potential environmental effect
Minor and major amendments are subject to public review and are posted on Ontario's Environmental Registry.
Public Involvement
The Crown Land Use Policy Atlas (the Atlas) helps make the land use amendment process transparent and accessible to the public. The public can participate in the land use amendment process by reviewing and commenting on proposed amendments or by requesting an amendment.
Reviewing and Commenting on a Proposed Amendments
Minor and major amendments are subject to public review and are posted on Ontario's Environmental Registry. Dates of the public review period are included on each Environmental Registry posting. Anyone can submit comments on these proposals. The Ministry of Natural Resources may also involve the public in its land use decisions through mail-outs, open houses or by forming committees. All land use amendment proposals and decisions are posted on the Atlas.
Requesting an Amendment
Generally, land use amendments are initiated by the Ministry of Natural Resources. However, from time to time another public agency, group or individual may be aware of new information that would make an amendment appropriate. The first step in requesting an amendment should be to contact the MNR district office that administers the area that would be affected by the amendment. The district office can provide information on the amendment process.
The Land Use Amendment Search Tool
Land use amendments are accessible to the public on the Atlas through the Land Use Amendment Search Tool. The Search Tool allows users to retrieve information on individual land use amendments. Results are presented in a table that includes each amendment's unique tracking number, title, classification and status. The tracking number links to the amendment documentation.
Land use amendments for southern Ontario and the Far North
Currently, the Atlas does not cover all of Ontario. However, the amendment process is used to revise area-specific land use policy and/or boundaries of all land use areas in the province. Amendment information for southern Ontario and the Far North is presented in a table within the Land Use Amendment Search Tool. When a minor or major amendment is initiated, it is posted in the Proposed Amendments table. When a decision has been reached, the amendment is posted in the Completed Amendments table. Approved administrative amendments are only posted in the Completed Amendments table.
