GROWTH PLAN
'The Growth Plan' is the Ontario government’s initiative to plan for growth and development in a way that supports economic prosperity, protects the environment and helps communities achieve a high quality of life. The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, (2006) was the first growth plan to provide a framework for implementing Ontario’s vision for building stronger, prosperous communities by better managing growth in this region.
The Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) encompasses the area in the map below. It's one of the fastest-growing regions in North America. The GGH has one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse economies – generating upwards of 25 percent of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It's the destination of choice for many people and businesses relocating from other parts of Canada and around the world. They settle here because of the high quality of life and the economic opportunities. This is a place of prosperity where, through their skills and talents, people are building a greater future for themselves.
The Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) encompasses the area in the map below. It's one of the fastest-growing regions in North America. The GGH has one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse economies – generating upwards of 25 percent of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It's the destination of choice for many people and businesses relocating from other parts of Canada and around the world. They settle here because of the high quality of life and the economic opportunities. This is a place of prosperity where, through their skills and talents, people are building a greater future for themselves.
Since the introduction of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe in 2006, the region has seen a shift to more compact development patterns, a greater variety of housing options, more mixed-use development in urban growth centres and other strategic growth areas, and greater integration of transit and land use planning.
The new Growth Plan, known as 'A Place to Grow', (2019) builds upon the success of the initial Growth Plan, (2006) and responds to the key challenges that the region continues to face over the coming decades with enhanced policy directions.
The successful realization of this vision for the GGH centres on effective collaboration amongst the Province, other levels of government, First Nations and Métis communities, residents, private and non-profit sectors across all industries, and other stakeholders. The policies of this Plan regarding how land is developed, resources are managed and protected, and public dollars are invested are based on the following principles:
Urban centres will be vibrant and characterized by more compact development patterns that support climate change mitigation and adaptation, and provide a diversity of opportunities for living, working, and enjoying culture. The evolving regional economy of the GGH will continue to mature into an economic powerhouse of global significance. It will function as Canada’s principal international gateway.
The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) will be a thriving metropolis with an extraordinary waterfront. The urban areas of the region, including Toronto, will be celebrated centres of influence for commerce, culture, and innovation.
All of this will translate into a place where residents enjoy a high standard of living and an exceptional quality of life.
The new Growth Plan, known as 'A Place to Grow', (2019) builds upon the success of the initial Growth Plan, (2006) and responds to the key challenges that the region continues to face over the coming decades with enhanced policy directions.
The successful realization of this vision for the GGH centres on effective collaboration amongst the Province, other levels of government, First Nations and Métis communities, residents, private and non-profit sectors across all industries, and other stakeholders. The policies of this Plan regarding how land is developed, resources are managed and protected, and public dollars are invested are based on the following principles:
- Support the achievement of complete communities that are designed to support healthy and active living and meet people’s needs for daily living throughout an entire lifetime.
- Prioritize intensification and higher densities in strategic growth areas to make efficient use of land and infrastructure and support transit viability.
- Provide flexibility to capitalize on new economic and employment opportunities as they emerge, while providing certainty for traditional industries, including resource-based sectors.
- Support a range and mix of housing options, including second units and affordable housing, to serve all sizes, incomes, and ages of households.
- Improve the integration of land use planning with planning and investment in infrastructure and public service facilities, including integrated service delivery through community hubs, by all levels of government.
- Provide for different approaches to manage growth that recognize the diversity of communities in the GGH.
- Protect and enhance natural heritage, hydrologic, and landform systems, features, and functions.
- Support and enhance the long-term viability and productivity of agriculture by protecting prime agricultural areas and the agri-food network.
- Conserve and promote cultural heritage resources to support the social, economic, and cultural well-being of all communities, including First Nations and Métis communities.
- Integrate climate change considerations into planning and managing growth such as planning for more resilient communities and infrastructure – that are adaptive to the impacts of a changing climate – and moving towards environmentally sustainable communities by incorporating approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Urban centres will be vibrant and characterized by more compact development patterns that support climate change mitigation and adaptation, and provide a diversity of opportunities for living, working, and enjoying culture. The evolving regional economy of the GGH will continue to mature into an economic powerhouse of global significance. It will function as Canada’s principal international gateway.
The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) will be a thriving metropolis with an extraordinary waterfront. The urban areas of the region, including Toronto, will be celebrated centres of influence for commerce, culture, and innovation.
All of this will translate into a place where residents enjoy a high standard of living and an exceptional quality of life.
