Register

S'inscrire

Aggregate Resources Planning: A Primer

A professional development course for the OPPI and allied professions.

The course material has been developed as part of University of Waterloo School of Planning course offering, supported by TOARC (The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation)  and is being made available through OPPI courtesy of the University.

This introductory level course is open to any OPPI member but will be of most interest to rural and resource planners who may be: 

• responsible for development of policies and guidelines including municipal Official Plans and zoning bylaws and related background studies 
• reviewing development proposals in the vicinity of known aggregate deposits or licenced pits and quarries
• participating in consultation related to Aggregate Resources Act licence applications
• responsible for Planning Act applications (i.e. OPA and zoning by law) to permit new or expanded mineral aggregate operations 

The course runs in February with four remote sessions via Zoom on Tuesdays, 12–1:30 p.m., from February 3 to February 24, 2026.

Participants in this course are required to engage in group discussions and presentations. Commitments outside of scheduled class time include background readings and online discussion (estimated to involve a further approximately 1.5 hour commitment per week).

Capacity is limited and will be filled on a first come basis.

Facilitator(s): James Parkin; BES, MCIP, RPP; Partner MHBC, Sessional Instructor, University of Waterloo School of Planning.

Fees:

Member: $200 + HST

Non-Member: $250 + HST

OPPI Student Member/Retired Member: $170 + HST

*A portion of the proceeds of this workshop will be donated to the Ian MacNaughton Memorial Fund which is being established at the University of Waterloo to inspire and support studies of future leaders in The Faculty of Environment.

Course Outline and Learning Objectives

Course Participants will be provided with workbooks derived from the University Course curriculum to review in advance of the scheduled sessions. Sessions will highlight selected content. The following material will be included: 

Week 1 Aggregate Resources – the Geology, Geography and Economics

• Grasp fundamental facts and key points that provide a foundation for aggregate resources management – a Provincial Interest.
• Understand the Provincial Program for mapping of aggregate deposits and the reports that planners use.
• Review distribution of the resource in Southern Ontario – Key Supply Areas and constraints.
• Week 1 Discussion Groups: Introduce yourself, briefly explain your interest in aggregates and what you hope to get out of this course. Questions and observations about week 1 material.

Week 2 Legislation- Focus on the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) – Purposes, History and Processes with highlights for planners

• Understand the purposes of the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) and how the key elements of the Act, Regulations and Standards work towards those purposes.
• Interpret key provisions of the ARA in relation to planning matters.
• Summary of the Aggregate Resources Act licensing process
• Overview of an ARA site plan, how site plans regulate and require progressive rehabilitation.
• Week 2 Discussion Groups: case study Hidden Quarry

Week 3 Policy- Aggregates and the PPS - the interrelationships between aggregates, other natural resources and land use compatibility unpacked

• Explore PPS Resource policies and interrelationships with aggregate resources—achieving consistency with the PPS where resource interests overlap.
• Review how land use compatibility and adverse effects are assessed in planning for mineral aggregate availability.
• Overview of how different types of impacts are assessed and mitigated to minimize social, economic, and environmental impacts.
• Week 3 Discussion Groups choose from three assignments for discussion: development proposal scenarios, official plan policy consistency, fundamental questions arising from materials.

Week 4 Practical Considerations and Community Realities – Applying your learning to a specific area of interest

• Explore and discuss any related topic of particular interest or concern. Lead by course participants with feedback and discussion.

Please note that registration in this workshop is intended for one person only. The Zoom link will be emailed upon registration. Participants must attend live as session recordings are not provided. Please check your email (including spam folders) for Zoom links and any additional resources. When registering, we suggest clicking on the option to add this event to your calendar for convenient access to the date and time of the workshop. Workshop Zoom links will be emailed upon registration and again the day prior to the first workshop. If you have not received a Zoom link 12 hours prior to the workshop, please contact events@ontarioplanners.ca.

CANCELLATION POLICY FOR OPPI EVENTS

• Full refund: requires a minimum of one month's notice
• 75% refund: requires 2-4 weeks' notice
• No refund: if less that 2 weeks' notice