Electronic permitting could be coming to Ontario as the province sets about implementing a 14-point action plan aimed at streamlining development approvals.

“By making it easier and faster to build new homes, we’re helping more people find affordable, suitable housing,” said Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for Poverty Reduction Strategy Peter Milczyn.

The 14-point action plan comes out of a roundtable that brought together government and industry during the summer and fall. Officials at the municipal and provincial levels had seats on the roundtable, as did leaders from the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) and Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON).

“The Development Approvals Roundtable has given us an action plan for streamlining the development approvals process, bringing housing to market sooner, and supporting provincial and municipal priorities for land use and infrastructure planning,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs Bill Mauro.

In addition to recommending looking into electronic permitting, the action plan, released Nov. 8, calls on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to promote progressive zoning.

The province is expected to regularly update the roundtable on the status of the action plan items starting in the spring.