What is growth planning?

Growth planning incorporates infrastructure planning and investment, demographic changes, economic development, employment trends, land use planning, and population health to support the government’s vision for future communities.

Growth management policies address a range of issues across Ontario. They work to attract jobs and investment, while preparing for communities’ future needs such as infrastructure, housing and new digital technologies.

Read our growth plans

A Place to Grow

Read our long-term plan to provide homes and jobs, promote investment and build communities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, 2011

Read our long-term plan for job creation and economic development in Northern Ontario.

Supporting information

Introductions to A Place to Grow

Learn what you need to know about A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Planning details for A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

Provincially Significant Employment Zones

Learn about the key employment areas that will attract investment and grow industries in Ontario.

Initiatives related to the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario

Since the Plan’s release, provincial economic development strategies, action plans and investments to support the Plan have focused on the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario’s key policy areas and 11 named economic sectors. These sectors include minerals and mining, forestry, advanced manufacturing, health sciences and tourism.

Learn and share

Images to share, link, tweet and include in your work and presentations

Photo gallery

View photographs that demonstrate growth planning concepts.

Drawings and diagrams

Use these conceptual images to explain growth planning objectives.

Acts and regulations

Places to Grow Act, 2005

This act is the foundation for all of Ontario’s growth plans and allows the province to:

  • designate geographic regions in the province as growth areas with a specific focus
  • develop a new growth plan in consultation with municipalities, stakeholders, public groups, members of the public and Indigenous communities in a region
  • guide decisions about infrastructure investment, housing and transportation, while balancing the need for farmland and natural areas

Related regulations:

Past growth plans