RECAP: SURPA's Undergraduate Technical Skills Workshop
- Nov 18, 2025
- 3 min read
The School of Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Association (SURPA) recently hosted the Ontario Planning Technical Workshop for current SURP Undergraduate Students with the Toronto Metropolitan Association of Planning Students (TMAPS). The event was prepared to boost career and technical readiness by providing a detailed overview of the core processes and recent changes impacting the planning profession in Ontario.
Key Discussion Areas
The workshop covered a comprehensive agenda, focusing on the practical application of the Planning Act and the professional accreditation process:
I. Ontario Planning Framework & Act Applications
Attendees received an overview of the Provincial Planning Framework and the various application types defined under the Planning Act. The session delved into the specifics of:
Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Rezoning Application
Plan of Subdivision
Plan of Condominium
Site Plan Control
Consent /Land Division
Minor Variance
Part Lot Control
II. Planning Law Changes
A significant portion of the workshop focused on recent changes to planning law in Ontario. The discussion specifically addressed:
Bill 23: This consequential legislation includes key changes such as removing planning authority from several GTA upper-tier municipalities, requiring municipalities to permit up to three units on residential lots, and removing Site Plan Control for residential buildings with less than ten units. It also covered changes to Development Charges and Parkland Dedication rates.
Decision Timelines: Approval windows for various application types, as impacted by Bills 108 and 23, were reviewed, including 120 days for Official Plan Amendments and Plans of Subdivision, 90 days for Zoning By-law Amendments and Consents, and 60 days for Site Plan Control.
Appeal Rights: The session noted the removal of third-party appeal rights for minor variances/consents, a change expanded to OPAs/ZBAs by Bill 185.
III. Professional Pathways (RPP/MCIP)
The workshop provided guidance on achieving the Registered Professional Planner (RPP) or Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP) designation:
Accreditation Path: Students from an accredited degree must apply through the Professional Standards Board (PSB).
Requirements: The process involves an ethics course, a professional exam, two years of work experience detailed in a logbook and agreed to by a Sponsor, and one year of mentorship.
IV. Scenario Workshops
The latter half of the event featured detailed planning scenarios to facilitate group activity and discussions, applying the technical knowledge to real-world examples:
Toronto (54 Dundas St E and 110 Dundas St E)
Clarington (139 Yacht Drive)
Pickering (391 Rosebank Road)
Oshawa (Whitelaw & Glenbourne)
Our Alumni Facilitator Team:
SURPA was pleased to welcome a distinguished alumni team to lead the workshop:
Jacob Circo: Senior Planner, Development Planner at the Municipality of Clarington
Keith Marshall: Policy Planner at the Municipality of Clarington
Corinna Prior: Community Planning Manager at the City of Toronto
Alexandria Ellington-Haydon: Emergency Management Assistant and Security Coordinator at Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Connect with SURPA:
We encourage all students and alumni to follow us for future events and resources. The core pillars of SURPA include Engagement, Professional Development, and Networking, all geared toward supporting our community's needs.
We will be hosting an alumni and master's student version of this event in the new year.
We hope to see you at our future events!
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