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 of Bonfield commenced a review of its current Official Plan in 2022.
Official Plan reviews are required to ensure current land use planning policies reflect identified community needs, are aligned with provincial policies, and support the overarching goal of sustainable growth & development.
At the same time, amendments to official plan policies should aim to ensure that identified issues resulting from previous plans are being addressed; and present new 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.
Planning Advisory Committee Meeting- October 23, 2023 - YouTube
Planning Advisory Committee Meeting- Nov. 20, 2023
Planning Advisory Committee Meeting- Nov. 27, 2023
Planning Advisory Committee Meeting- Dec. 4, 2023
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, further to which, a provincial election took place in February 2025.
Both of these actions resulted in a delay providing feedback to the Township in the form of the Ministries' "One Window Review" and comments.
Those comments were received on January 2, 2026, and a further period of review has since taken place to ensure the final proposed Official Plan policies can be considered consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024 (PPS 2024), and more recent updates to Planning and Development-related legislation and regulations.
Public Open House (Cancelled)
A Public Open House is proposed to provide space within which to receive public feedback on the proposed new Official Plan. This has now been scheduled to take place on Tuesday 29 September, 2026 @7:00pm.
The purpose of the meeting is to summarize the proposed policies, and how they may apply to land and property owners throughout the Township of Bonfield.
Statutory Public Meeting of Council
Following the Public Open House, a Statutory Public Meeting of Council has also been scheduled. This will provide an opportunity for members of council to review and discuss comments received at the Public Open House - plus any additional changes proposed by statutory consultees (i.e. Government Agencies, Utility Companies, etc.) and receive any further delegations on the matter.
Please see attached the Public Notice for reference. (Cancelled)
A printed copy of the new Draft Official Plan is available for pickup at the Municipal Office with advance notice. Although the fee established under User Fee By-law No. 2024-21 is $55.00, it has reduced the fee to $20.00 to make this important document more accessible to residents.
The Draft Official Plan may also be downloaded and reviewed from this website or printed at the Bonfield Public Library or another location of your choice.
Final Draft Official Plan Documents September 2026
Schedule A - Land Use Designations
Schedule A1 - Bonfield Settlement Area
Schedule A2 - Rutherglen Settlement Area
Schedule B - Transportation & Corridors
Schedule C - Natural Environment
Schedule D - Natural & Human-made Hazards
