Official Plan

In accordance with the Ontario Planning Act 1990, municipalities throughout the Province of Ontario, are required to ensure planning decisions made in reference to an Official Plan ‘shall conform’ or ‘shall not conflict’ with Provincial Plan(s) including the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario (2011); and shall be ‘consistent’ with provincial policy statements including the Provincial Planning Statement 2024. 

The Official Plan is a strategic planning document which summarizes the goals and objectives put in place to both manage and direct physical change within all, or part of, the Township of Bonfield - including matters related to the social, economic, built, and natural environment. In effect, the Official Plan designates and describes the use of land and establishes clear policies to guide its future development. 

The Township of Bonfield adopted its current Official Plan in April 2013. Township of Bonfield Official Plan 2013. 

The Township is currently undertaking a review of the Official Plan to ensure it reflects community needs, aligns with provincial policies, and supports sustainable development.

The Township of Bonfield commenced a review of its current Official Plan in 2022.

The purpose of the review is to ensure current land use policies reflect changes made in the previous plan period; at the same time as introducing new and updated strategic policies, goals, and objectives to guide the Township into the future. 

To assist with this project, the Township of Bonfield issued an RFP and later commissioned the private planning practice J.L Richards to provide guidance and support throughout its development. 

The first step in the process was to undertake a review of regional Background Studies and Reports implemented within the Township of Bonfield over the past 10 years on a sector-specific basis. 

J. L Richards completed a review and prepared a Draft Background Report ahead of the new proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Review, dated February 22, 2023. The Background Report evaluates the planning context and provides policy-based information and recommendations pertaining to Climate Change, the Natural Environment, Economic Development, Housing, the Hamlets, Waterfront locations, Rural and Rural Agricultural Areas, Recreation, Parks and Open Space, Mobility, Servicing, Mineral Aggregates, Cultural Heritage and Public Health and Safety among other matters.     

The next step in the process, involved the organization as an Open House / Public Meeting, providing an opportunity for the community to provide input into the Township’s vision, goals, and policy issues related to land use, to inform updates to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Update. The following link contains the Official Notice of the Open House having taken place: Open House / Public Meeting Notice

The next step in the process involved the consolidation of feedback gained, plus further detailed conversations and interviews with regional agencies, plus members of Council, and former staff representing the Township of Bonfield. 

Based upon this feedback, a Draft Official Plan was produced and circulated among agencies, and the general public for comment. 

The Planning Advisory Committee, representing the Township of Bonfield, was also enlisted to provide feedback on proposed draft policies which included a line-by-line review over a series of scheduled meetings. 

The proposed Draft Official Plan was submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) in July 2024; prior to the new Provincial Planning Statement 2024 (PPS 2024) coming into effect in November 2024. 

Due to delays associated with the recent Ontario Provincial election, which took place in February 2025; as of June 2025, the Township of Bonfield continues to await a response to the submitted Draft Official Plan. 

Once the Ministry’s feedback is received, a further period of review is expected to ensure the final proposed policies can be considered consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024 (PPS 2024). 

Next Steps 

At this time, the Township is targeting a statutory Open House for the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to take place in September or October 2025. If the provincial comments result in significant changes, this would need to be re-advertised as a new public meeting.

The proposed replacement Comprehensive Zoning By-law is currently in Draft form and is expected to be released for consultation ahead of the scheduled Open House event. 

Further details will be circulated throughout the community and uploaded to this website in due course.