1) That the report dated December 9, 2025 entitled “Comments on Bill 60 – Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025” be received; and,
Amendments to the Planning Act
2) That Council not support the change granting the Minister authority to set prescribed percentages, permitting as-of-right variances; and,
3) That the Province add a provision to prohibit as-of-right variances in zones designated for environmental protection and natural hazards; and,
4) That the Province consider authorization of as-of-right variances to be granted at the municipal-staff level for detailed technical review prior to the approval of the minor variance; and,
5) That Council not support the change that would allow the Minister to override key policy direction outlined in the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024; and,
6) That Council recommend for municipalities to be granted a formal opportunity to consult with the Minister on Minister‘s Zoning Order agreements; and,
7) That Council requests the Province to consider implementing a mediation conflict resolution process to resolve disagreements prior to the Minister referring to the Ontario Land Tribunal; and,
8) That Council not support the requirement for Ministerial approval of official plan amendments that permit residential uses on all lands within Protected Major Transit Station Areas be removed; and further,
9) That Council support the expansion of Community Improvement Plans to include all upper-tier municipalities;
Consultation on simplifying and standardizing official plans
10) That Council not support the proposal to standardize and simplify official plans across the province; and,
11) That the Province continue to allow secondary plans and site-specific policies as part of official plans; and,
12) That the Province issue supporting regulation to operationalize conditional zoning under the Planning Act; and,
13) That the Province undertake further consultation with municipalities on the proposal to streamline Official Plans; and,
14) That if implemented, the Province add “Urban Design” as a key policy heading to the proposed standard chapters for official plans; and,
15) That if implemented, the Province will provide municipalities with clear direction on how to proceed with these initiatives and clarify whether any previous Provincial directives on development standards would be withdrawn; and,
16) That the Province undertake further consultation with municipalities on the proposed standardized designations, to further refine the criteria for each designation; and,
17) That the Province provide timely guidance materials to municipalities on the implementation/transition process; and further,
18) That Council support the change to submit official plan information and documents be moved to an online portal;
Harmonization of road construction standards
19) That the Province provide additional funding to municipalities if harmonized construction standards result in higher costs compared to current municipal standards; and,
20) That the Province further consult and/or collaborate with municipalities in establishing contracts between municipalities and third-party contractors that does not conflict with local municipal authority and decision-making; and,
21) That the Province provide clarity on if the Minister would be allowed to make a regulation to govern contracts pertaining to road and bridge construction beyond the technical aspects; and,
22) That the Province conduct training sessions for municipal staff or provide municipalities with extra funding for training for municipal staff, regarding the new standards and protocols; and,
23) That Council not support change to allow Provincial involvement in a municipality’s decision-making to need an exemption from a standard; and,
24) That the Province alternatively considers implementing a yearly audit to ensure municipal compliance with harmonized standards, investigating logged exemptions; and further,
25) That the Province further consult and work closely with municipalities to establish a process of requesting an exemption to ensure timely approvals;
Amendments to the Highway Traffic Act (Bill 60, Schedule 5)
26) That the Province consult with municipalities and other stakeholders on what “any other prescribed purpose” entails and scenarios in which an exemption from this change may be necessary; and further,
27) That the Province further consult and/or collaborate with municipalities to develop criteria for when vehicle traffic lanes can or cannot be reduced to ensure road safety measures are adhered to.
Consultation on Enhanced Development Standards- Lot Level (outside of buildings)
28) That Council not support the change to limit or remove the requirement to meet enhanced development standards; and,
29) That the Province provide guidance in consultation with municipalities to promote consistency across municipalities rather than removing enhanced development standards; and further,
30) That the Province alternatively provide a clear definition for “enhanced development standards” for municipalities to align their respective plans, polices and guideline accordingly;
Consultation Minimum Lot Sizes
31) That Council not support the reduction or removal of minimum lot size requirements; and further,
32) That the Province alternatively consider standardized zoning options and definitions that municipalities can adopt without being subject to appeal;
Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025
33) That Council does not support the implementation of a new legislative framework to authorize the establishment of water and wastewater public corporations; and,
34) That if implemented, the Province establish clear governance frameworks ensuring municipal participation and ratepayer oversight in water and wastewater public corporation decision making; and,
35) That if implemented, the Province add explicit ratepayer affordability protections for low-and-moderate income households, local oversight mechanisms, and safeguards to prevent excessive or sudden rate increases; and,
36) That the Province further consult with municipalities to ensure financial neutrality between water and wastewater public corporation -serviced and non- water and wastewater public corporation serviced municipalities; and,
37) That the Province add a provision for water and wastewater public corporation investment plans be mandated to integrate with municipal and regional master plans, to ensure aligned priorities between growth planning and infrastructure delivery; and,
38) That the Province include an additional provision be added to require joint servicing investment frameworks reviewed by municipalities and the Province; and,
39) That the Province include a provision in the Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act to define accountability in relation to infrastructure delivery when rate revenues are insufficient; and,
40) That Council not support the proposal that would allow the Minister to use broad discretion to approve, reject or modify water and wastewater public corporation rate plans; and,
41) That the Province establish independent oversight or audit mechanisms to prevent infrastructure deferral, ensure proper maintenance, infrastructure replacement or fiscal responsibilities of water and wastewater public corporations; and,
42) That if implemented, the Province will ensure that funding for growth-related water and wastewater infrastructure to avoid placing undue financial burden on existing ratepayers; and further
43) That if implemented, the Province include provisions to protect high-performing municipalities from being required to subsidize underperforming municipalities or share debt and reserves in a manner that penalizes fiscal prudence and operational efficiency;
Amendments to the Development Charges Act, 1997
44) That the Province provide more clarity to municipalities on how development charges recovery under the new land service category will operate; and,
45) That Council support the introduction of mandatory local service policies; and,
46) That Council support the provision of the background study and by-laws to be submitted to the Minister upon request; and,
47) That the Province should preserve municipal flexibility to allocate projects based on service categories rather than requiring project-specific allocations; and,
48) That this report be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Transportation, as the City of Markham comments on Bill 60 - Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 and the associated Registry Postings; and further,
49) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.