The New Official Plan

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Consultation has concluded

The new Official Plan for the County of Brant has been approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Over the past three years, we have gathered your feedback on a variety of topics to create this new Official Plan. The new 2023 Official Plan, 'A Simply Grand Plan', was adopted by County of Brant Council on May 30, 2023. The plan was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on October 18, 2024. The Ministry has made 35 modifications to the Official Plan, and its approval is final and not subject to appeal.

The new Official Plan for the County of Brant has been approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Over the past three years, we have gathered your feedback on a variety of topics to create this new Official Plan. The new 2023 Official Plan, 'A Simply Grand Plan', was adopted by County of Brant Council on May 30, 2023. The plan was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on October 18, 2024. The Ministry has made 35 modifications to the Official Plan, and its approval is final and not subject to appeal.

Any new planning-related matters from October 18, 2024, onward will be subject to the policies of A Simply Grand Plan. County staff will now begin work implementing the policies of the new Official Plan, with a report being presented to Council in November on the next steps, and public engagement beginning in 2025. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, contact Policy Planning staff by emailing Officialplan@brant.ca or calling 519.44BRANT (519.442.7268).





Consultation has concluded

If you have questions about development, policies, population growth, or other things related to our New Official Plan, ask them here and staff will be happy to follow up to provide you with answers and additional resources. 

  • Share When the county makes up an “Official Plan” where is it sent to? What part of government is it directed? on Facebook Share When the county makes up an “Official Plan” where is it sent to? What part of government is it directed? on Twitter Share When the county makes up an “Official Plan” where is it sent to? What part of government is it directed? on Linkedin Email When the county makes up an “Official Plan” where is it sent to? What part of government is it directed? link

    When the county makes up an “Official Plan” where is it sent to? What part of government is it directed?

    Question asked over 1 year ago

    Thanks for your question! The Official Plan and Municipal Comprehensive Review are sent to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. They circulate it to other ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). 


    Ultimately, the decision to approve, approve with changes, or refuse the plan lies with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. 

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  • Share We wonder if you could be more inclusive in mentioning farm organizations. In several places, there is a reference to consult with the Brant Federation of Agriculture. There are 3 provincially recognized farm organizations: National Farmers Union, and Christian Farmers Federation being the other 2. Thanks in advance. on Facebook Share We wonder if you could be more inclusive in mentioning farm organizations. In several places, there is a reference to consult with the Brant Federation of Agriculture. There are 3 provincially recognized farm organizations: National Farmers Union, and Christian Farmers Federation being the other 2. Thanks in advance. on Twitter Share We wonder if you could be more inclusive in mentioning farm organizations. In several places, there is a reference to consult with the Brant Federation of Agriculture. There are 3 provincially recognized farm organizations: National Farmers Union, and Christian Farmers Federation being the other 2. Thanks in advance. on Linkedin Email We wonder if you could be more inclusive in mentioning farm organizations. In several places, there is a reference to consult with the Brant Federation of Agriculture. There are 3 provincially recognized farm organizations: National Farmers Union, and Christian Farmers Federation being the other 2. Thanks in advance. link

    We wonder if you could be more inclusive in mentioning farm organizations. In several places, there is a reference to consult with the Brant Federation of Agriculture. There are 3 provincially recognized farm organizations: National Farmers Union, and Christian Farmers Federation being the other 2. Thanks in advance.

    Ella Haley asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your comments! We will ensure we are inclusive of these farm organizations and will add reference to them for the final version of the Plan being presented May 29th and 30th 2023. 

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  • Share What is being done to manage invasive, noxious plants that are increasingly appearing on well-used public trails, along roadways? I have seen a proliferation of poison ivy all over spaces used by the public. Lack of management is dangerous for pets, children and all users, as well as causing increased instances of these plants being carried by birds to private homes where owners incur huge costs to remove them. They must be managed by the city in public spaces. on Facebook Share What is being done to manage invasive, noxious plants that are increasingly appearing on well-used public trails, along roadways? I have seen a proliferation of poison ivy all over spaces used by the public. Lack of management is dangerous for pets, children and all users, as well as causing increased instances of these plants being carried by birds to private homes where owners incur huge costs to remove them. They must be managed by the city in public spaces. on Twitter Share What is being done to manage invasive, noxious plants that are increasingly appearing on well-used public trails, along roadways? I have seen a proliferation of poison ivy all over spaces used by the public. Lack of management is dangerous for pets, children and all users, as well as causing increased instances of these plants being carried by birds to private homes where owners incur huge costs to remove them. They must be managed by the city in public spaces. on Linkedin Email What is being done to manage invasive, noxious plants that are increasingly appearing on well-used public trails, along roadways? I have seen a proliferation of poison ivy all over spaces used by the public. Lack of management is dangerous for pets, children and all users, as well as causing increased instances of these plants being carried by birds to private homes where owners incur huge costs to remove them. They must be managed by the city in public spaces. link

    What is being done to manage invasive, noxious plants that are increasingly appearing on well-used public trails, along roadways? I have seen a proliferation of poison ivy all over spaces used by the public. Lack of management is dangerous for pets, children and all users, as well as causing increased instances of these plants being carried by birds to private homes where owners incur huge costs to remove them. They must be managed by the city in public spaces.

    carsonal asked about 3 years ago

    Thanks for your question.

    Invasive species can impact the Natural Heritage of the County of Brant and a collaborative effort between the Province of Ontario, our Conservation Authorities and County Staff has been helping with general education and awareness, addressing key pathways contributing to introductions/spread, and facilitating monitoring and early detection initiatives for invasive species found around the area. 

    Our Official Plan will speak to the high-level protection of our Natural Heritage system, including the importance of using non-invasive planting in development and planning, and collaborative efforts to manage invasive species will continue as a key objective in protecting our Natural Heritage system.

    More information on Provincial efforts can be found at https://www.ontario.ca/page/invasive-species-ontario
    Information on efforts specific to the County of Brant may be found at https://www.grandriver.ca/en/our-watershed/Invasive-species.aspx or by visiting http://www.invadingspecies.com/. 

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  • Share What about Costco for Brant county? I am always going to Brantford for my groceries on Facebook Share What about Costco for Brant county? I am always going to Brantford for my groceries on Twitter Share What about Costco for Brant county? I am always going to Brantford for my groceries on Linkedin Email What about Costco for Brant county? I am always going to Brantford for my groceries link

    What about Costco for Brant county? I am always going to Brantford for my groceries

    Brmeeke asked about 3 years ago

    Thanks for your question! 

    While we can't direct exactly what businesses come to Brant, during the update to the Zoning By-Law we'll be able to address the need for a wider variety of grocers and other businesses that offer staple items to our residents as well as where those businesses will be permitted. With more opportunities for a mix of commercial uses through our New Official Plan, there will be more locations available to businesses to locate closer to where people are living. We can also work with our Economic Development colleagues to increase the variety of grocery shopping opportunities in the County of Brant. 

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  • Share What is the plan for a robust green compost program? There are thousands of dollar being wasted and families throwing compostable content into the trash. What is the timeline for accessing Green bin programs for all residents? on Facebook Share What is the plan for a robust green compost program? There are thousands of dollar being wasted and families throwing compostable content into the trash. What is the timeline for accessing Green bin programs for all residents? on Twitter Share What is the plan for a robust green compost program? There are thousands of dollar being wasted and families throwing compostable content into the trash. What is the timeline for accessing Green bin programs for all residents? on Linkedin Email What is the plan for a robust green compost program? There are thousands of dollar being wasted and families throwing compostable content into the trash. What is the timeline for accessing Green bin programs for all residents? link

    What is the plan for a robust green compost program? There are thousands of dollar being wasted and families throwing compostable content into the trash. What is the timeline for accessing Green bin programs for all residents?

    carsonal asked about 3 years ago

    Thanks for your question!

    We've had many residents note a desire for a green-bin program as well as other waste diversion options that will benefit the County's approach to the impacts of Climate Change. Our New Official Plan will have more environmentally conscious policies specifically related to development and will look at future implementation tools like green engineering standards, a green-roof by-law and a construction and demolition waste diversion strategy. 

    The implementation of a green-bin compost program is outside the scope of an Official Plan, so I'd encourage you to contact our  Public Works and Operations staff to find out more information on waste diversion in the County of Brant. Feel free to send them an email at publicworks@brant.ca.

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  • Share How can we preserve farmland from urban sprawl ? I understand Brant is under terrible pressure from developers to let farmland be built upon. on Facebook Share How can we preserve farmland from urban sprawl ? I understand Brant is under terrible pressure from developers to let farmland be built upon. on Twitter Share How can we preserve farmland from urban sprawl ? I understand Brant is under terrible pressure from developers to let farmland be built upon. on Linkedin Email How can we preserve farmland from urban sprawl ? I understand Brant is under terrible pressure from developers to let farmland be built upon. link

    How can we preserve farmland from urban sprawl ? I understand Brant is under terrible pressure from developers to let farmland be built upon.

    Nick Quail asked about 3 years ago

    Thanks for your question! 

    The Province of Ontario has estimated that the County of Brant will have a population of 59,000 residents by the year 2051 and it's up to us to decide how we accomodate that growth through our new Official Plan. 

    Settlement Boundaries are a border drawn around our towns and villages that allow development to happen within them but limit the development that can happen outside of those boundaries. The County will not be expanding our settlement area boundaries for more residential growth because we have more than enough land within our boundaries to accomodate it. In fact, we've been able to scale back some of our village boundaries in areas where municipal servicing and growth won't happen before the year 2051. 

    Outside of the boundaries, large-scale development will not be permitted and farmland protection will be prioritized. These new policies will allow us to focus on creating more comprehensive development within our settlement boundaries to accomodate our population and job growth while leaving the farmland for agricultural production. 

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