Following the recent passage of Bill 23 and Bill 17, the Ontario government has introduced Bill 60 – the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025. The legislation represents another step in the Province’s efforts to simplify and speed up planning and development approvals in response to ongoing economic pressures and a slower housing market. Bill 60 was introduced in late October and passed third reading on November 24, 2025, proposing updates to several core statutes, including the Planning Act, Development Charges Act, and the Transit-Oriented Communities Act.

In broad terms, Bill 60 seeks to modernize how municipalities manage growth and administer planning & development approvals. It would give cities more flexibility in how development charges are calculated, introduce clearer expectations for how local services are delivered, and provide the Province with stronger oversight tools.

The bill would also streamline planning decisions by expanding opportunities for as-of-right minor variance approvals, expanding the role of the Minister, simplifying certain ministerial processes, and accelerating Official Plan amendments in key growth areas such as Protected Major Transit Station Areas.

Bill 60 also proposes to make Community Improvement Plans easier for municipalities to use by restoring CIP powers to upper-tier regions that previously lost planning authority and allowing for broader, region-wide programs. These updates give local governments more latitude to support redevelopment, reinvestment, and job-creating projects.