Ontario Liberals to Scrap Ministerial Zoning Orders

By: Laura Steiner
The Ontario Liberals will end Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZO) if they are elected in the 2022 federal election.
“Doug Ford has weaponized MZOs and is abusing his power to attack our environment and reward the well-connected few,” Leader Steven Del Duca said.    MZO is a local planning tool used by the provincial government to authorize development in spite of local planning rules. The current government has authorized 57 such orders in the last four years.  They include projects such as a distribution centre in Pickering on top of wetland as well as the Milton Education Village (MEV).  Sources speaking on background, say existing orders will be allowed to proceed.
MEV is a 400 acre complex at the corner of Derry and Tremaine Rd, that will house a  50 acre Laurier- Conestoga campus, research park, as well a long-term care facility, and secondary school.  The project was announced in June, with construction to begin next spring.  The campus is expected to open in 2024.