Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Comprehensive Land Use Strategy

The County of Brant is advising the community that an appeal has been filed regarding the Official Plan Amendment (By-law 106-26), which was approved by Council on September 8, 2026, to implement the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy. The appeal period closed on September 30, 2026, at 4:00pm.

As a result, the Official Plan Amendment and the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy have not come into effect on October 1, 2026.

Background

In November 2024, the County of Brant began work on a long-term plan for Cainsville that supports business growth, attracts investment, and creates jobs. The Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy focused on protecting and expanding employment lands to accommodate industries and support a vibrant employment hub.

Between November 2024 and September 2026, the County provided several opportunities to engage the public with the creation of the Strategy. The feedback gathered through open houses and online engagement helped the development of the Strategy and associated Official Plan Amendment.

On September 8, 2026, County of Brant Council approved the Official Plan Amendment (Bylaw 106-26) to implement the Strategy.

What’s next

As a result of the appeal, the Official Plan Amendment has not come into effect. The existing Official Plan policies shall continue to remain in effect while the appeal proceeds through the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) process.

Staff will continue to work with applicants to discuss and evaluate how the directions of the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy may impact them as more becomes known about the appeals. That said, the Official Plan Amendment remains subject to the outcome of the appeal process, and the OLT will determine how the appeals will be addressed, including timelines, procedures, and any hearing information.

The County is currently reviewing the appeal materials to participate in the OLT proceedings.

Stay informed

Engage Brant will remain the primary source for the Cainsville Premier Land Use Strategy and appeal updates, with new information posted as it becomes available.

Subscribe for Cainsville project updates by adding your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe'.

Those seeking updates directly from the OLT can visit the Ontario Land Tribunal Case Status Portal.

The Council of the Corporation of the County of Brant has passed Bylaw No. 106-26 on September 8, 2026, pursuant to the provisions of Section 17(23) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended. This by-law amends the County of Brant Official Plan - A Simply Grand Plan (2023).

What does this mean?

The purpose of this Official Plan Amendment is to support the implementation of the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy. Together, these changes will help guide the long-term growth of Cainsville as a fully serviced employment area that supports job creation while promoting high-quality design, coordinated infrastructure planning, and the protection of environmental and cultural heritage features.

The amendment introduces two land use designations within the Official Plan. A new Mixed-Use Commercial Area designation is proposed to provide a transition between employment lands and nearby sensitive uses. The amendment also combines the existing General Employment and Prestige Employment designations into a single Employment Area designation, consistent with provincial planning policies for employment lands.

The amendment applies to all lands within the Cainsville Settlement Area, as shown below:

View the Notice of Passing of the Official Plan Amendment for further details on how to appeal an approval. The last day to file an appeal is September 30, 2026.

Next Steps

The County would like to thank everyone who has participated in the development of the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy and Official Plan Amendment. Your feedback has helped us shape the vision and policy direction for the future of Cainsville.

Following resolution of the Community Planning Permit System's appeals, staff will undertake the development of a CPPS Overlay to implement the Strategy's detailed direction. Additional opportunities for public and stakeholder feedback will be provided as part of that future process.

Subscribe for updates and be the first to receive information as it's available. Simply add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click subscribe.

The Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy and associated Official Plan Amendment are now available. Staff will present these documents to Council for recommendation at the September 8, 2026 meeting at 4:00 pm.

Revisions to the Land Use Strategy and Official Plan Amendment from June to August.

The following summarizes the key revisions made to the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy and associated Official Plan Amendment (OPA) following review and refinement of the policy and land use framework. These changes reflect updates to land use designations, employment policies, environmental buffering, cultural heritage recognition, and implementation mechanisms intended to support the long-term vision for the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub.

• Land Use Designation Changes: Additional Mixed-Use Commercial designations have been introduced along portions of Colborne Street East. This change recognizes existing smaller commercial and light industrial properties and provides greater flexibility for a mix of business uses than the previous Employment Area designation. To balance these changes, employment lands have been adjusted elsewhere within the study area.
• Job Density Clarity: The policies now provide clearer direction on achieving the area's employment goals of 30 jobs per hectare by 2051. The updated policies recognize that reaching this target will require ongoing planning, investment, and development over time rather than occurring automatically.
• Servicing Framework: The servicing framework has been expanded to provide clearer guidance on how infrastructure such as water, wastewater, and transportation services will support future growth. The policies also reflect upcoming servicing agreement between the County of Brant and the City of Brantford and emphasize coordinated growth, efficient use of infrastructure, and consideration of broader employment and growth objectives.
• Employment Typologies: The employment framework has been significantly expanded to provide more detailed direction on the types of employment uses that are envisioned, where they should be located, and how they should be developed. Updates include new employment categories, preferred lot size ranges, and a typology matrix informed by the Market Study. The framework places a particular focus on attracting advanced manufacturing, innovation-based industries, and campus-style industrial development.
• Buffer Concerns: A new 30-metre naturalized buffer has been added along the east side of County Road 18, north of Colborne Street East, to help provide separation between future employment uses and nearby residential neighbourhoods in Brantford. Additional policies reinforce the importance of land use compatibility, environmental studies, and natural heritage protection as development proceeds.
• Residential Uses in the Community Corridor: Low- to mid-rise residential uses will be permitted within the Community Corridor when they are part of a larger mixed-use development. The changes clarify that residential uses may be integrated with commercial, office, or other non-residential uses within the same building or on the same site, helping to create active and vibrant streets.
• Minor Expansions of Legal Non-Conforming Uses: Additional clarity has been provided to allow and guide the expansion of uses that no longer align with the Strategy to maintain the rights of landowners, while balancing the long-term vision for Cainsville as a Premier Employment Hub.

Previously staff had referenced implementation of the Strategy through the Community Planning Permit System (CPPS). As the Council-approved CPPS has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, the planned associated Cainsville Overlay will be developed at a later date to correlate with the CPPS coming into effect. At such time, the Overlay will encompass the entirety of the Cainsville settlement area and will work to implement the policy and strategic directions set out in the Strategy and Official Plan Amendment.

The County of Brant has created a long-term plan for the Cainsville that supports business growth, attracts investment, and creates jobs. The Cainsville Land Use Strategy focuses on protecting and expanding employment lands to accommodate industries such as manufacturing, research and development, warehousing, and transportation.

The vision is to create a vibrant employment hub where businesses can grow, people can find good jobs, and the community can prosper. By planning for services, transportation, and natural spaces, the Strategy supports a complete and sustainable community for the future.

View the current draft strategy. An updated strategy will be available by August 25, 2026 as well as a summary outlining what has changed.

Why this matters?

• Large properties should be planned for coordinated growth.
• The area has convenient access to Highway 403, Brantford, Hamilton, and major airports.
• Future municipal water and wastewater services will support growth.
• Opportunity to create a vibrant village centre with local amenities and community features.

Strategic directions

• Raising the job density from 15 to 30 jobs/hectare. By 2051, Cainsville is set to accommodate 7,600+ jobs.
• Prioritizing high-quality industrial sectors to attract investment from innovation-driven sectors.
• Promoting amenities like active transportation, seating, lighting, and more to create an attractive and safe community.
• Cainsville will become a fully-serviced settlement, with future growth phased in over the next 20+ years.
• Development must protect existing natural features, and promote sustainability.

You're invited!

Staff are bringing a final recommendation for the Strategy and related Official Plan Amendment to Council.

• Tuesday, September 8, 2026
• 4:00 pm
• County of Brant Council Chambers at 7 Broadway Street West in Paris

The meeting can also be viewed online on the County of Brant YouTube Channel at brant.ca/live.

Frequently asked questions

• How will the County protect existing residents?
• How will traffic be handled?
• What about my existing use that doesn’t align?
• How long will this take, and is the vision too ambitious?

View the print version of the update.

The Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy discussion set to be brought forward to Council for recommendation on July 28, 2026, has been cancelled.

The decision to delay the project has been made to allow for further discussions surrounding servicing considerations with the City of Brantford, as well as additional discussions with various property owners throughout the Cainsville Settlement Area. These conversations are intended to help ensure that the vision for the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy appropriately balances the long-term vision for the area while remaining achievable and practical to implement.

The County remains committed to developing a Strategy that reflects the objectives of the Premier Employment Hub while considering the input and perspectives shared by residents, landowners, businesses, and stakeholders throughout the engagement process to date.

Staff anticipate bringing the Strategy back to Council in the Fall of 2026, a public notice will be released following the rescheduling of the meeting. Additional updates and project information will be shared on this page as it is available.

We'd like to thank residents and stakeholders for their continued engagement and participation as this work progresses. We remain committed to keeping the community informed throughout the process.

For any additional questions, please reach out to Policy@brant.ca.

Date: Wednesday, July 28, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: County of Brant Council Chambers, 7 Broadway Street West in Paris
The meeting can also be viewed online on the County of Brant Youtube Channel at brant.ca/live.

Topics: Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy (Recommendation)
Project File Number: OPA8-26-BK
Staff Contact: Brandon Kortleve, Manager of Policy Planning (policy@brant.ca)

What is this about?

The County of Brant is presenting the final Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy for recommendation of approval, along with a related Official Plan Amendment and an implementation framework through the Community Planning Permit System. Following Council's review of the final land use concept in June 2026 and consideration of public feedback, the final Strategy is being presented together with supporting implementation tools and next steps, including:

• Servicing Solution: The County is working with the City of Brantford to finalize a new water and wastewater servicing agreement that is being considered alongside the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy and will support future growth in the community. A future Servicing Sequencing Strategy will be developed to guide the orderly delivery of infrastructure and ensure development proceeds in a coordinated and sustainable manner.
• Transportation Planning: A transportation study is underway to assess future traffic conditions and infrastructure needs through 2051. The study will evaluate key intersections, potential road improvements, active transportation opportunities, and long-term traffic impacts associated with planned employment and residential growth.
• Buffering Clarifications: In addition to the physical separations created by non-residential designations in the Strategy, all future development will be required to incorporate buffering measures to ensure compatibility. Naturalized buffers, fencing, and setbacks will all be considered on a site-specific basis to ensure that no negative impacts on either sensitive or employment land uses.
• Policy Framework and Implementation: To implement the Strategy, the County is proposing an Official Plan Amendment that will update land use designations, establish employment area policies, and provide direction on servicing, design, and long-term employment growth. The report also proposes implementation tools through the proposed Community Planning Permit System (CPPS). Specifically, the CPPS will include a Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Overlay and related zoning changes that support the planned growth and development of the area.

A copy of the Cainsville Land Use Strategy, Official Plan Amendment, Community Planning Permit System By-Law Overlay and Zoning, and associated staff report discussing the final implementation measures will be made available on the project page by July 23, 2026.

Speaking at the Meeting

Residents who wish to speak at the meeting must register in advance by contacting clerks@brant.ca or by submitting the online delegation request form by July 23, 2026.

When

June 9, 2026
4:00 PM
County of Brant Council Chambers, 7 Broadway Street West in Paris
Live stream available on the County’s YouTube Channel at brant.ca/Live

Project File Number: OPA8-26-BK

Staff Contact: Brandon Kortleve, Manager of Policy Planning, Policy Planning Division (brandon.kortleve@brant.ca)

What is this about?

The County of Brant is proposing an amendment to its Official Plan, A Simply Grand Plan, 2023, under Sections 17 and 22 of the Planning Act. The changes are being brought forward to implement the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy, enabling the long-term development of Cainsville as a fully serviced, employment-focused hub with a high standard of urban design, infrastructure coordination, and environmental and cultural heritage stewardship.

Changes are proposed to include new and revised policies related to land use designations, employment area protections, servicing, development phasing, and permitted uses. The amendments introduce detailed direction for employment typologies, minimum lot sizes, density targets, branding, and design, while also including policies for existing supportive uses such as commercial areas. Overall, these updates aim to support coordinated, long-term employment growth, ensure efficient use of infrastructure, and provide clearer guidance on how development should proceed within the Cainsville settlement area.

A copy of the proposed official plan amendment will be posted for public review beginning on May 26, 2026, and will be found on the project page. The draft Strategy will also be released for public review at a later date and will also be made available on the project page.

Who can attend?

Any person may attend the Statutory Public Meeting and make a verbal presentation. Written submissions must be made to the Planning Division one week prior to the meeting at the address above.

What will happen at the meeting?

A public meeting is an opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the proposed development. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear a brief presentation about the development, ask questions, and/or make statements either in favour of, or in opposition to the development. The County of Brant Council will review the proposal, supporting documents and listen to all public presentations. No recommendations are made at this meeting.

When are recommendations made?

A County of Brant Council meeting to vote on the recommendations will be scheduled in the future, and new notice will be provided of the next meeting date and time. If you wish to be notified of any Public Meetings or Council Meetings regarding this application, or to be notified of the decision on the proposed application, you must sign the register provided at the Public Information Meeting or make a written request to the County Clerk at clerks@brant.ca.

Where do I send written submissions?

Any persons may provide a written submission, or request to appear as a delegation either in support of or in opposition to the proposed application. Written submissions or in-person delegation registrations will be accepted by mail, e-mail or transcribed message by staff up to the Thursday before the Council meeting. Please forward your requests or submission to clerks@brant.ca or policy@brant.ca.

Who can appeal a Decision?

The applicant, the Minister or a specified person or public body as per the Planning Act may appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). To learn more about your appeal rights, visit brant.ca/planningapplications

How can I learn more and share my feedback?

• Share your comments or questions online
• Email policy@brant.ca
• Mail/In-Person at 66 Grand River St. N, Paris, ON. N3L 2M2
• Call us at (519)-442-7268 or 1-(226)-387-9360

For more information about this matter, including information about appeal rights, please contact policy@brant.ca.

Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Time: 6:00 pm

Location: County of Brant Council Chambers (7 Broadway Street West, Paris)

The meeting can also be viewed online on the County of Brant YouTube Channel at brant.ca/Live.

County of Brant Council - November 11, 2025

What is this about?

A draft Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy is now complete and will be presented on Council on November 11. The Strategy includes subject matters such as a Preferred Land Use Concept and Urban Design Guidelines. The Strategy and feedback received on it will be used to inform the creation of planning implementation tools including an official plan amendment and zoning by-law amendment.

A sincere thank you to everyone who joined us on September 10, 2025, for the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Land Use Strategy Public Workshop.

We were pleased to see strong community participation, with more than 60 members of the public registering across the afternoon and evening sessions, along with members of County Council. Your input and perspectives are vital to shaping the future of Cainsville’s employment lands.

View the workshop presentation and concepts presented.

What’s Next

The next step for the project is to carefully evaluate all the feedback collected from:

• Members of the public
• External agencies
• Indigenous communities
• Other community partners

This feedback will help us create a Preferred Land Use Concept, which will be presented to Council. Once a date is confirmed, we will post the meeting details on Engage Brant and notify project subscribers.

The Preferred Land Use Concept will form the basis for updates to the County’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law. These updates will go through a Statutory Public Meeting, giving the community another opportunity to review and provide input before any changes are finalized.

Subscribe for updates by adding your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click subscribe.

You’re invited to join us for the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub Public Workshop!

Workshop details

Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Location: TF Warren Group Cainsville Community Centre, 15 Ewart Avenue

Choose the session that works for you

• Afternoon: 2:00 – 3:30 pm
• Evening: 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Both sessions will cover the following:

• Share what we’ve heard so far
• Present three draft land use concepts for the Premier Employment Hub
• Discuss key ideas such as roads, land use, green space, and future development
• Invite your feedback through small group discussions

How to register

Reserve your spot by registering on Eventbrite before Monday, September 8, 2025.

Register at CainsvilleEmploymentHub.eventbrite.ca. (Once you click to visit the website, please click the orange "Get Tickets" button to register.)

Your feedback will help us design a comprehensive strategy that shapes Cainsville’s future. We hope to see you there!

Can't attend the workshop?

If you’re unable to attend, we still want to hear from you! A survey is available to gather your feedback on the draft land use concepts.

• Complete the online survey. Survey closes Friday, September 5, 2025.
• You can also complete the survey over the phone by calling 519.44BRANT (519.442.7268) or 1.855.44BRANT (1.855.442.7268).
• Have a question or comment about the Cainsville Premier Employment Hub.? Let us know.

Stay Informed

Subscribe for updates by adding your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click subscribe.