Province approves OPA 46 with 17 modifications

On April 14, 2026 the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved Amendment No. 46 (OPA 46) to the City of Ottawa Official Plan adopted by By-law 2025-294, subject to 17 modifications. OPA 46 updates the City of Ottawa Official Plan to add policies and mapping related to major transit station areas, strategic growth areas, settlement area boundary expansions (policy only), employment areas, agriculture and cultural heritage resources. The modifications increase densities within some major transit station areas, refine permissions in Employment Areas as defined by the Provincial Planning Statement, and updates policies in relation to agriculture, aggregates, and cultural heritage resources. The Minister also modified the growth management section to note the City’s intention to update the growth projections and planning horizon to 2051 through this Official Plan update.

On April 15, 2026, accompanying his decision on OPA 46, the Minister sent a cover letter to the Mayor and notes the requirement to base new growth forecasts on Ministry of Finance population projections as informed by their Projection Methodology Guideline. The Minister also notes Bill 98 for proposed legislative changes, including new Official Plans or Official Plan updates to comply with a standardized format for land use designations, structure, and mapping. The proposed updates to both the Projection Methodology Guideline and Bill 98 are currently in draft and undergoing consultation.