Advocacy Updates
OALA responds to Schedules to Bill 17 – Reports from Professionals for Complete Planning Applications
OALA sent a letter to Hon. Rob Flack, MPP, recommending that landscape architects be formally included in the list of recognized professionals whose studies and reports are accepted as required components of a complete application submitted to a municipality under Bill 17.
Click here to read the letter to Hon. Rob Flack, MPP dates June 25, 2025
Bill 2: Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025
The Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) recognizes the current economic challenges and the growing effort across Canada to remove barriers that hinder interprovincial trade and the mobility of regulated professionals.
In response to Bill 2: Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025, OALA has sent letters to Ministers Piccini, Fedeli and Downey explaining in detail the impact of the bill on the profession of landscape architecture in Ontario.
Click here to read the OALA letter to Ministers Vic Fedeli and Doug Downey dated April 10, 2025
Click here to read the OALA letter to Minister David Piccini dated June 3, 2025
OALA hosts 24 Ministers and MPPs at 2025 Spring Breakfast
Over 20 Ministers and MPPs as well as over 20 OALA representatives participated in the Association’s 2025 hugely successful MPP Spring Breakfast at Queen’s Park on May 14.
"We’re really encouraged by the conversations we had with MPPs about a Landscape Architects Practice Act,” said OALA President Aaron Hirota, who co-hosted the event. “We're going to get this done."
Four MPPs delivered remarks at the event, including:
- Brian Saunderson, MPP (Simcoe–Grey), Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
- Kristyn Wong-Tam, MPP (Toronto Centre), NDP Attorney General Critic
- Lucille Collard, MPP (Ottawa–Vanier), Liberal Attorney General Critic
- Mike Schreiner, MPP (Guelph), Green Party Leader
In addition to the breakfast, OALA held meetings with several MPPs throughout the day, including:
- Hon. Kevin Holland, MPP (Thunder Bay–Atikokan), Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products
- Monica Ciriello, MPP (Hamilton Mountain), who is now leading OALA’s file in her role as Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General
- Billy Denault, MPP (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke), Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
- France Gélinas, MPP (Nickel Belt), NDP Critic for Health and Francophone Affairs
The event was also co-hosted by Glenn O’Connor, Chair of OALA’s Practice Legislation Committee.
OALA meets 34 Ministers and MPPs during successful Queen’s Park Day
Over 20 OALA representatives from across the province participated in the Association’s Queen’s Park Spring Breakfast on May 6, 2024.
“I believe this was the most successful day at the legislature OALA has ever held,” said OALA President Stefan Fediuk. “I think we are on track to move the needle with elected officials.”
Speakers from all four parties delivered remarks, including:
- Brian Saunderson, MPP (Simcoe Grey), Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General
- Kristyn Wong-Tam, MPP (Toronto Centre), NDP Attorney General Critic
- Mary-Margaret McMahon, MPP (Beaches–East York), Liberal Climate Change Critic
- Mike Schreiner, MPP (Guelph), Green leader
The MC for the event was Practice Legislation Committee Chair and former OALA and CSLA President Glenn O’Connor.
In total, OALA interacted with 34 Ministers and MPPs throughout the day that included:
- 19 MPPs who attended the reception,
- 12 Ministers and MPPs who introduced OALA in the legislature,
- 10 additional MPPs spoke or met with OALA on the same day, including Attorney General Doug Downey, MPP (Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte), and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Government House Leader Paul Calandra, MPP (Markham–Stouffville).
Landscape Architects Showcase their Value at the OALA MPP-Queen’s Park Spring Breakfast
Landscape architects play a vital role in designing and creating sustainable and healthy environments for communities to thrive in. On Tuesday, May 9th, 2023, a select group of OALA members and Councillors gathered at Queen’s Park for the first annual MPP-Landscape Architect Spring Breakfast.
The event was a great success with 22 members and 20 MPPs, including 5 Ministers, in attendance. Speakers at the event included MPPs Brian Saunderson, Lucille Collard, France Gelinas, and Mike Schreiner, who all shared their thoughts on the importance of landscape architects. We were also delighted to welcome Minister Steve Clark, who addressed the group, expressing his appreciation for the work of landscape architects and interest in working together.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for landscape architects to build relationships with MPPs and communicate how they contribute solutions to the challenges of climate change, mental health, street safety, housing and accessibility. It was an important step in advancing the Landscape Architect Practice Act and ensuring that landscape architects are recognized for their essential contribution to our communities.
Proposed Changes to the Greenbelt Plan
The Ontario Association of Landscape Architects is adding its support to the growing list of concerned organizations responding to proposed changes to the Greenbelt Plan.
On December 2, 2022, the OALA submitted a letter to Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing outlining the following areas of concern for the current proposal to remove protected lands from the Greenbelt Plan:
- scientific criteria & rationale for the land removal identified
- impacts on natural functions and sustainability
- impacts on finite land resources & sprawl
Click here to read our letter regarding the proposed changes to the Greenbelt Plan
Bill 23, More Home Built Faster Act, 2022
On November 28, 2022, Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, received Royal Assent. OALA and dozens of other organizations and municipality groups have spoken out strongly against the proposed amendments included in this bill.
In a letter dated November 15 that was sent to both the Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark, MPP (Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands) and the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy, OALA explained in detail the impact of Bill 23 on the profession of landscape architecture in Ontario.
Click here to read the OALA letter dated November 15, 2022.
Bill 23 proposes some major changes to the land use planning process to address the province’s housing crisis by building 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years. Not all of the proposed changes will will come into force immediately. Click here to read Osler's summary of the changes and when they will come into effect.
Thank you to our members and associated firms who continue to copy OALA on their submissions to the government. Members can contact their MPPs and can use their own professional examples to advocate for solutions that would support development that meets the housing needs of the province, while ensuring sustainable and liveable communities.
