Policy Blog

The Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program has developed some new resources that may be useful for AMCTO members as they support community residents with inquiries about the program.  Newly developed resources include: Program overview Program Eligibility Requirements…

As of July 1, 2025, alcohol may be permitted to be sold, served and consumed on large quadricycles, also known as pedal pubs.  This change is being made through an amendment to O.Reg. 746/21: Licensing under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019. Pedal pubs have…

Note: This is the third and final post of a three-part blog series. Read part 1 and part 2. On June 4, the Minister of Red Tape Reduction tabled Bill 46, Protect Ontario by Cutting Red Tape Act, 2025. This omnibus bill contains several legislative amendments that could affect…

Note: This is the second of a three-part blog series on recent legislation. Read part 1.  Bill 17, Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 The Province's annual housing-related omnibus legislation proposes changes to the:  Development Charges Act…

Note: This is the first of a three-part blog series on recent legislation. The last few weeks have been busy from a legislative perspective, with the Government using a shortened legislative session that rose June 5 to introduce, and in some cases, quickly pass legislation.…

Starting August 1, 2025, the Northern Services Boards Act requires meetings of local services boards to be open to the public, like municipal council meetings, with certain narrow exceptions. Local services boards are volunteer organizations that have the authority to…

Following his minority win on April 28, Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced his cabinet appointments. It includes 28 ministers plus the prime minister, with 10 secretaries of state. This means there will be a core group of senior ministers and a secondary group of junior…

On Tuesday, April 22, the Ontario Superior Court issued an injunction requested by advocacy group Cycle Toronto to suspend any imminent bicycle lane removal plans until it can be determined whether the removal violates Section 7 of the Charter.  As you’ll recall, in 2024,…

Just nine days after the swearing-in of a new federal ministry, on March 23 Governor General Mary Simon accepted Prime Minister Mark Carney's request to dissolve parliament. A federal election will be held on April 28, 2025, to elect members of the House of Commons to…

After a shortened Liberal Party of Canada leadership race, Mark Carney was elected leader. The former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor won the leadership race with 85% of the vote. The race was prompted by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement that he…