The Region of Durham has announced that the Province of Ontario has approved the Regional Official Plan (ROP), in part, with modifications.
Adopted by Durham Regional Council on May 17, 2023, and now approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the new ROP provides policies and strategic directions that guide future growth, infrastructure and service delivery, land use planning and development-related matters to ensure an improved quality of life – to nurture a healthy, safe, convenient and active, present and future for Durham residents, said a region statement.
It said an updated version of the ROP will be shared in the coming weeks.
Durham Region is growing. Today, the region is home to more than 750,000 people. By the year 2051, the population is expected to grow to 1.3 million people, with more than 460,000 jobs in the region, said the statement.
“The vision of the new Regional Official Plan is to create healthy, complete and sustainable communities within the region, shaping Durham into a great place to live, work, play, grow and invest,” said John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO.
Decision withheld
“The region is pleased to have the province’s support on enacting this vision through our area municipalities—although a decision has been withheld on the northeast Pickering urban expansion lands that overlap with the Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) which restricts most development,” he said.
“While extensive consultation has been facilitated between Indigenous rights holders and key stakeholders throughout the process, more facilitation has been requested to secure a path forward. We look forward to continuing meaningful collaboration and partnership with Indigenous Peoples, the City of Pickering and local stakeholders, that began more than five years ago and continued throughout the entire project.”
Ajax Impact
Development of northeast Pickering will impact Ajax, according to the town Mayor Shaun Collier.
While saying the approval means local municipalities can begin the next steps of planning for growth, he said: “I’m also proud of the efforts of Ajax Council and the community to bring awareness to our concerns around proposed development on the Carruthers Creek headwaters in North East Pickering and the flooding implications for residents in downstream Ajax.
‘This advocacy has resulted in the ministry withholding their decision on the future of these lands. It has also led to the start of productive conversations between the Ajax, Pickering and the North East Pickering Landowners Group, which I’m confident will lead to an agreement regarding flood mitigating infrastructure and financial solutions.”
Mayor Collier said Ajax remains committed to supporting the growth of Durham Region, while reaching the best possible outcomes for Ajax residents.
The new ROP is the culmination of work completed through Envision Durham, the Municipal Comprehensive Review. To learn more about Envision Durham and for more information on the ROP, visit durham.ca/EnvisionDurham.