• Background Discussion Paper: Preparation of a Background Discussion Paper that provides a concise inventory of available data and reflects input received during the early stages of the community consultation program with the Task Force members. This Background Discussion Paper will form the basis for the preparation of the GMS. The Background Discussion Paper was largely written from the fall 2021 through early 2022, and many macro-economic issues continue to evolve.

• Population, Housing, and Employment Growth Forecast to 2051: Analyzing the population (persons and households), housing (dwelling units), and employment (jobs) within the City and existing settlement areas, as well as considering the forecast population for the 2051 planning horizon provided on Schedule 3 of the Growth Plan.

• Seasonal Population and Housing Analysis: Understanding the impact of seasonal housing trends (new cottages, new second homes, and conversions of cottages to permanent residences) and how that factors into the overall picture of growth in the City.

• Growth Allocations by Urban Settlement Area and Remaining Rural Area: Categorizing the City’s various built-up areas, and defining which ones are more suitable for significant growth versus modest/limited growth based on opportunities and constraints. This step also will break down the total population, housing, and employment forecast to 2051 and assign a portion to each of the settlement areas planned for significant growth (urban areas), and assigning the rest to other settlement areas (hamlets) and the rural area.

• Urban Community Area and Urban Employment Area Land Needs Analysis: Comparing the amount of growth against what can be accommodated by intensification opportunities and existing land already designated in the City’s Official Plan for development, to determine if more land is needed for future community areas and future employment areas. If more land is needed, then this step will identify approximately where those new areas are and the shape of those new areas; this is commonly known as a “settlement boundary expansion”.

• Summary Report/GMS: Preparation of a report that compiles the work of the previous steps and presents the conclusions/recommendations. There will be a series of public consultation and Committee/Council presentations, as well as liaison with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing at this step. The GMS will be refined and then issued as a final report.

• Communications Framework: A Communications Framework has been developed to guide consultation and engagement throughout the project. The following objectives represent the purpose of the program:
  • Educational and community building
  • Inclusive and interactive
  • Meaningful
  • Positive experience and innovative
  • Transparent and timely
  • Useful

The framework is dynamic and responsive as the project evolves to ensure its objectives are achieved.