Ontario Auditor General Calls for Overhaul of Ministerial Zoning Order Process

Report highlights lack of structure, transparency, and accountability in the Ford government's extensive use of zoning orders since 2019.

The Ford government used Minister's Zoning Orders (MZOs) 114 times between 2019 and 2023, a 17-fold increase compared to the previous two decades.
The auditor general found no clear protocol or rationale for prioritizing zoning order requests, with decisions often made through an 'ad hoc' process influenced by political staff.
Rezoned agricultural land saw a 46% average increase in value, raising concerns about potential preferential treatment for developers and land speculators.
Many zoning orders failed to expedite construction, with approvals granted for projects lacking essential infrastructure or municipal servicing for years.
Auditor General Shelley Spence issued 19 recommendations, including documenting the necessity of MZOs, while the housing ministry claims recent reforms address these issues.