The Official Plan is a long-term plan that shows how land is used in Burlington, including warehousing, jobs, roads and parks will be located. The plan is made with community input and must follow provincial rules.
Proposed Official Plan Amendment (OPA 7) to Update Employment Area Policies
The City is proposing an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) to the Burlington Official Plan, 2020 to:
- Update the Official Plan Employment Area policies to align with the recent changes to provincial policy and
- Find ways to simplify and streamline the Employment Area policy framework.
Employment Areas are protected spaces for manufacturing, innovation and business growth and are geographically defined in Official Plans. These areas are often located along major highways and transportation corridors because of the easy access. In Burlington, over half of all jobs are in the City’s Employment Area. This area plays a key role in supporting Burlington’s economy through helping to supply jobs and maintain economic activity within the community. As the city’s population grows, this area may help to create jobs that can support Burlington residents and businesses while it supports the economy.
- Total size of Employment Area - 1,800 ha
- Total number of businesses – 1,982
- Total number of jobs – 42,500
Changes to Employment Area definition
The Province of Ontario introduced a new definition for Employment Areas under the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024. The new definition came into effect on Oct. 20, 2024. Updating Burlington’s policies keeps Burlington’s Official Plan current, clear and consistent with provincial policies.
Timeline and Next Steps
- Draft Official Plan Amendment No. 7 - A draft OPA will be prepared and shared for feedback.
- Meet with a Planner - Nov. 24 2025 to Jan 13, 2026
- Public Open House - Dec. 2, 2025, 7 to 9 p.m. Appleby Ice Centre, Community Room 1
- Virtual Public Open House - Jan. 5, 2026
- Public Meeting - Jan. 13, 2026
- Final Draft Official Plan - Feedback received will be used to revise and finalize the draft OPA
- Council Approval - Q1 2026
OPA 7 - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
An Employment Area is a place in the Official Plan where businesses can grow and jobs can be created. These areas can have manufacturing, research, warehouses and offices or retail stores that are part of the main business. New stand-alone retail stores or offices that are not part of the main business are not allowed in an Employment Area.
What is Official Plan Amendment No. 7 (OPA 7)?
The Official Plan Amendment No. 7 (OPA 7) is an update to Burlington’s Official Plan. It will update the City’s Employment Area policies to align with recent provincial changes.
Why are these updates happening now?
The province introduced a new definition of Employment Area in its Provincial Planning Statement, 2024. Municipalities must update their Official Plans to reflect this change.
The new provincial definition reduces what uses are included in Employment Area.
| Included in Employment Area | Removed from Employment Area |
| manufacturing | stand-alone commercial |
| warehousing | stand-alone retail |
| research and development | institutional |
| offices that are part of warehousing or manufacturing | stand-alone offices |
| commercial/ retail that are part of warehousing or manufacturing | public service |
The provincial changes do allow businesses to continue in Employment Area if they were lawfully established before Oct. 20, 2024.
The City of Burlington is proposing an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) to the
Burlington Official Plan, 2020. The proposed OPA will:
- Update the Official Plan policies to align with the recent changes to Provincial and Regional policy related to the City’s Employment Areas,
- Explore opportunities to simplify and streamline the Employment Area policy framework, and;
- Seek to minimize the impact on local businesses and set the stage for looking for opportunities to streamline regulation and create certainty.
Employment Areas play a key role in supporting Burlington’s economy by providing space for manufacturing, innovation, and business growth. Updating these policies ensures Burlington’s Official Plan stays current, clear, and consistent with provincial policies.
To share your feedback with the City:
- participate in
- public meetings, and
- open houses
- Send an email with your comments
Where can I sign up for notifications?
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