Bill 150 explained in plain English

Bill 150 enacts a new law to approve certain municipal official plans and amendments, and amends the Planning Act to limit legal remedies related to planning decisions made under section 47.

Bill 150 accomplishes two main things: **Part 1: Official Plan Adjustments Act, 2023** The bill creates a new law that approves 13 official plans and amendments from municipalities across Ontario (including Barrie, Belleville, Guelph, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara, Ottawa, Peel, Peterborough, Waterloo, Wellington, and York). These plans were previously rejected or sent back for changes by the provincial government under the Planning Act. The bill treats them as if they have now been approved by the province, effective from the original dates the provincial decisions were made. Some of these plans are approved with modifications (changes) that are specified in the law or in the original provincial decisions. Some are approved as originally adopted by the municipalities. The bill also states that no legal case can be started based on the fact that this law exists, or based on the approval of these plans. It prevents people from suing for costs, compensation, or damages related to these approvals, and stops other types of court proceedings except for judicial review applications. **Part 2: Changes to the Planning Act** The bill amends section 47 of the Planning Act (which gives the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing powers to make certain planning orders) to add similar legal protections. It states that no legal case can arise from decisions made under section 47, and prevents people from suing for compensation or damages related to those decisions. Again, judicial review applications are still allowed, but other court proceedings are barred. These protections apply whether a legal dispute started before, on, or after the law was passed. Both parts came into force immediately upon Royal Assent on December 6, 2023.