Maintaining the Policy Framework in Place for Ontario’s Greenbelt 

Purpose 

We are seeking proposals from qualified professional service providers to complete a policy analysis and develop recommendations to maintain the strength and completeness of the policy framework in place for the Ontario Greenbelt with a specific focus on those that are currently provided by the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020) and the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), 2020.  

Background 

On August 20, 2024, the provincial government released a new Provincial Policy Statement, 2024 (to come into effect on October 20, 2024) for Ontario to replace the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) 2020 and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020).  

A Consequential Administrative Greenbelt Plan Amendment (Amendment No. 4) was also approved to “maintain policy protections within the Greenbelt” as provided by the Growth Plan and PPS, 2020. However, specific related policies for the Greenbelt Plan Area were not identified.  

Looking forward, the Growth Plan and PPS, 2020 policy standards for the Greenbelt will need to be incorporated into the Greenbelt Plan in a way that ensures current protection standards for the Greenbelt are clearly and comprehensively maintained.  To support this work, this RFP proposal is to undertake a comparative policy analysis of the existing and new policies in order to develop recommendations for maintaining the Greenbelt Plan’s policy protection standards.    

Regional Provincial Policy Context:  

The Greenbelt Plan (together with the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and Niagara Escarpment Plan) reflects the fundamental need to permanently protect critical resources that sustain growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH). Policies within these plans implement a systems approach to maintaining connectivity between agricultural, ecological, and hydrological features, essential to maintaining the long-term health of these systems and the services provided to the region and its residents and businesses. The policies also protect significant provincial industries and jobs related to agriculture, tourism, and recreation, which are the foundation of rural economies in the Greenbelt. 

The Greenbelt Plan was designed to work together with the Growth Plan for the GGH and PPS, 2020 to provide ‘certainty and structure’ to managing growth in the region. Together the Plans focus population growth and urban development largely outside the Greenbelt while protecting natural heritage and water resource systems, and agricultural areas.  

This regional planning framework and vision for the GGH was reinforced in 2017 with the release of updated Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe following a Coordinated Provincial Plan Review. This resulted in provincial plans that were better aligned and integrated in their implementation by harmonizing them (where appropriate) using common definitions, policy approaches, specific wording, and cross referencing across the provincial Plans.   

For example, one of the most significant policy integrations was to tie the consideration of modest expansions of settlement areas (known as towns/villages; not hamlets) in the Greenbelt Plan to the municipal comprehensive review (MCR) under the Growth Plan, so that all settlement areas in the GGH were subject to the same type of comprehensive process for considering expansion. While the Greenbelt Plan contains some of the MCR requirements, most are currently contained in the Growth Plan. The Plans also prohibit settlement area expansions into natural heritage systems and Speciality Crop Areas and encourage communities to avoid developing on prime agricultural lands. 

The Greenbelt Plan also relies on the PPS, 2020 to provide policy coverage in areas where the Plan may be silent (e.g., hazard lands) and applies to Urban River Valley Areas of the Plan. The PPS, 2020 and the Growth Plan policies apply in the Greenbelt Plan’s settlement areas. PPS, 2020 natural heritage features policies apply to features outside the Greenbelt Plan’s natural heritage system.              

Project Objectives  

The policy review should include the following: 

1. An inventory of policies in the Growth Plan 2020 and the PPS, 2020 that currently apply to the Greenbelt Plan Area and that would need to be incorporated into the Greenbelt Plan to maintain existing protections for the Greenbelt. 
    
2. A policy comparison analysis that compares the current protection standards of the Greenbelt Plan (including those provided by the Growth Plan and PPS) with those of the PPS, 2024.   
   

   This comparison analysis would be by topic areas, that include but are not limited to the following areas which are provided only as examples:

   • Municipal Comprehensive Review  
   • Settlement Area Expansions 
   • Growth Targets  
   • Population Forecasting 
   • Planning Horizon 
   • Infrastructure (e.g., Great Lakes-based servicing, etc.)  
   • Affordable Housing  
   • Additional Residential Units   
   • Agriculture  
   • Lot Creation 
   • Natural Heritage  
   • Water Resources and Watershed Planning  
   • Natural Resources 
   • Cultural Heritage  
   • Removal of Regional Government  
     
     
3. An analysis of the implications of incorporating the Growth Plan 2020 and PPS, 2020 while also considering the context of a new PPS, 2024 (and the revocation of the Growth Plan). 
   
   
4. Develop a set of recommendations (e.g., revisions to policies, etc.) to incorporate the Growth Plan 2020 and PPS, 2020 policies that also address any issues that may be created with maintaining the Greenbelt Plan regime that relies on the policies of the PPS, 2020 and the Growth Plan 2020, while considering the context of a new PPS, 2024.    

Scope of Work 

1. Workplan: 
   • Draft and finalize a work plan.  
   • Review relevant reports and consult with Greenbelt Foundation staff. 
2. Policy Analysis and Recommendations: 
   • Prepare a comprehensive policy analysis that includes a policy inventory, as well as a policy comparison and analysis and develop recommendations. 
3. Findings Summary Report: 
   • Present policy analysis and recommendations to the Greenbelt Foundation. 
   • Revise the report based on feedback and finalize it allowing for up to two revision rounds. 
4. Webinar: 
   • Prepare and deliver a presentation of the report findings in a webinar co-hosted with the Greenbelt Foundation. 

Deliverables 

Based on the scope of work and the project phasing above, the deliverables include:  

1. Workplan with agreed on deadlines. 
2. Policy analysis and recommendations, including presentation to targeted stakeholders.
3. Final policy report and communication products.
4. Presentation of report findings in a webinar.

Timeline  

The project is expected to commence on October 21, 2024, and should be completed by January 31, 2025.  

Proposal Submission 

Interested parties are invited to submit their proposals to Sara Macdonald, Senior Research and Policy Analyst by October 15, 2024, at 5:00 pm. The proposal should include the following:  

• the candidate’s or team’s strengths and experience, as they pertain to this project, 
• the proposed approach to be taken to meet the purpose of the project,  
• roles and level of effort for each team member (if more than one),  
• deliverables and timing,  
• detailed budget,   
• CV(s),  
• three relevant references. 

Biddingo Link

Evaluation and Selection 

The Greenbelt Foundation will evaluate the proposals based on qualifications, methodology, experience, and cost-effectiveness. The Foundation reserves the right to request additional information or clarification from proposers during the evaluation process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Inquiries  

For any inquiries or clarifications regarding this request for proposal, please contact [email protected]. We look forward to receiving your proposals.