On April 9, 2026, the Ontario government announced that it is taking action to build a transit-oriented community (TOC) near the Oakville GO Station in Midtown Oakville by issuing four Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs).
The four MZOs reflect the original MZOs that the province proposed earlier this year. They permit 11 buildings in total across four sites of varying heights, up to 56 storeys.
The Province’s announcement notes that “in response to feedback received from the Town and the community, Ontario is working with the municipality and impacted partners on further refinements to the Oakville TOC that will result in building heights of 38 storeys, while maintaining the overall number of homes and community benefits.”
Read the Province’s April 9, 2026 news release.
Read the MZOs on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) web page.
Town’s response to the provincial announcement
Mayor Burton issued a statement in response to the provincial announcement noting that the Ontario government “has committed to adjusting maximum building heights to 38 storeys across the TOC sites in Midtown Oakville. This commitment includes maintaining the overall number of homes and the full complement of community benefits for the Midtown community, including publicly accessible spaces and enhanced access to the Oakville GO Station.
This is an important step forward, and the Town’s work and advocacy on behalf of residents will continue.”
For details read the Statement from Mayor Rob Burton on the Ontario government’s Minister’s Zoning Orders.
Next steps
The Town will take the Province at its word that this is a collaborative process, but we will be watching closely and advocating to achieve the Town Council’s objectives.
The Minister of Infrastructure shares authority, with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to issue Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) under the Planning Act for transit-oriented community (TOC) lands. An MZO regulates the use of land, buildings, and structures it applies to, is effective immediately, and overrides municipal zoning by-laws to the extent of any conflict. The Planning Act does not provide for a right to appeal the Minister’s decision to issue a zoning order to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
The Town has not supported the TOC proposal in its current form. Instead, the Town has consistently supported the recommendations outlined in OPA 70. However, the Town notes the Province’s intent to continue to work with the municipality on refinements to the TOC proposal resulting in building heights of 38 storeys.
A decision regarding Town of Oakville Official Plan Amendment (OPA 70) has not yet been issued.
The Town is calling on the Province of Ontario to approve OPA 70 so the Town's planning vision for the broader Midtown Oakville area can move forward.
The Town’s Official Plan Amendment 70, as adopted by Council in February 2025, is Oakville's updated planning framework for the Midtown area. The Town’s Official Plan Amendment 70, as adopted by Council in February 2025, is Oakville's updated planning framework for the Midtown area. It guides growth around the Oakville GO Station through 2051 to meet Provincial housing and employment targets while creating a complete, transit-supportive community. The OPA is now with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for final approval. Since Midtown Oakville is a protected major transit station area, the Minister’s decisions with respect to certain matters, including building heights, are not subject to appeal. The ministry may modify the plan as part of its approval process.
What does OPA 70 propose for building heights and density on the TOC sites?
The plan establishes a maximum floor area for all sites and establishes a base building heights that can only be increased if developers provide community benefits - such as parkland, affordable housing, or public infrastructure - through a new Community Planning Permit System (CPPS). In Midtown, building heights in the range of 27 to 36 storeys are possible, dependent on appropriate community benefit being provided. However, the issuance of MZOs on the TOC site effectively overrides the municipal planning process.
The Planning Act allows the Minister of Infrastructure to issue Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) for Transit‑Oriented Communities. MZOs immediately override municipal zoning and cannot be appealed, amended, or revoked, except by the Province.
At this point, the best that can be achieved by the Town is through participation in the process set out by the Province and to continue to advocate for Council’s position. We believe the strongest path forward is keeping our seat at the table and not walking away from it. Our priority right now is ensuring our community’s voice shapes what gets built.
- 217 and 227 Cross Avenue, and 571, 581, 587-595 Argus Rd (“Site 1”)
- 157 and 165 Cross Avenue (“Site 2”)
- 166 South Service Road East, (“Site 3”) and
- 590 Argus Road (“Site 4”)
The are outlined in the Provincial priority request for four (4) Minister’s Zoning Orders for the Transit-Oriented Community in the Town of Oakville | Environmental Registry of Ontario
The four TOC sites are also the subject of development applications which have been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). The applicants have requested an adjournment of the hearing, which the town has consented to.
On May 31, 2024, the Province notified the Town of its intent to explore potential Transit Oriented Community (TOC) projects in Oakville. Since then, the Town has provided detailed comments raising concerns with two versions of the Province’s TOC proposal for Midtown Oakville.
- On May 31, 2024, the Town of Oakville received a formal letter from the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure concerning the Province’s TOC program.
- Town received 1st submission TOC from Province on November 14, 2024, with comments due December 19, 2024.
- July 8, 2024 — at the Planning and Development Council meeting, Council received a Midtown Transit Oriented Communities Update staff report that provided information about this program and anticipated next steps.
- On December 19, 2024, the Town of Oakville submitted a response letter to Infrastructure Ontario, which includes a technical review of the proposal and consolidated comments from those circulated for review including Town departments, public agencies and peer reviewers. Review the December 19, 2024 response letter to Infrastructure Ontario (pdf)
- On December 3, 2025, the Province also introduced ERO 025-1368, which proposed the four Minister Zoning Orders (MZOs) for the Midtown Oakville TOC sites. Comment period was extended from January 2 to January 17, 2026 (at the request of the Town).
- On January 30, 2026, the Town of Oakville submitted a response letter to Infrastructure Ontario (updated February 3, 2026) on the TOC Resubmission #1, which includes a technical review of the proposal and consolidated comments from those circulated for review including Town departments, public agencies and peer reviewers. Review the January 30, 2026 response letter and attachments (pdf).
- At the January 26, 2026 Council Meeting, Town staff presented an overview of the province’s revised Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) proposal.
- Watch the January 26, 2026 Council meeting on YouTube
- Read the Oakville Transit Oriented Community (TOC) Update staff report which summarizes:
- The anticipated implications of the revised TOC framework on growth within Midtown and across the Town.
- Any known Provincial timelines and approval processes associated with the framework.
- On April 9, 2026, the Province announced the Ontario government is taking the next step to build a transit-oriented community (TOC) near the Oakville GO Station by issuing four Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) that will help deliver more than 6,800 new homes, create almost 4,000 jobs during construction and support approximately 400 new long-term jobs in Midtown Oakville.
The province, through Infrastructure Ontario, leads the work to define the basic parameters for TOC proposals. They define which sites or areas of Midtown are in or out of scope. The province is responsible for all negotiations with third party building/private sector partners and may approve any development proposal.
Is NAV CANADA aware of the MZO and building heights of 56 storeys? Are they in support of towers at that height?
The applicant made NAV CANADA aware of its plans in August of 2025 and in December it advised the applicant and the Town of its current height standards for the Midtown area.
The potential impact on future developments will be assessed in light of the Province’s approval of OPA 70.
Can existing infrastructure support towers of this size? Won't concentrating 6,800 new homes on these 4 sites in Midtown overwhelm the area's infrastructure?
There is a full implementation program which has been underway throughout the creation of OPA 70. Council received a Staff report in December 2025 outlining the completion of studies relating to Urban Design, Transportation and Stormwater Management. Infrastructure needs will continue to be evaluated throughout the process.