Ontario to strengthen enforcement against illegal truck yards with new municipal powers

The Ontario government is set to introduce amendments to the Planning Act aimed at curbing illegal land uses, including commercial trucking operations on properties not zoned for industrial activity.

The proposed changes would give municipalities the authority to issue administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) to owners and operators running illegal truck yards on rural, agricultural, or residential land. Officials say the measure is intended to speed up enforcement and reduce reliance on lengthy court proceedings.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack said the initiative responds to repeated requests from municipalities for stronger enforcement tools. He said it is designed to protect communities, farmland, and public safety.

Illegal truck depots have been associated with road damage, noise, odour, drainage problems, lighting concerns, and other impacts on nearby residents. Local officials say the issue has become increasingly common in parts of the Greater Toronto Area.

Dufferin–Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones said the changes would help municipalities better address unlawful land use and safeguard agricultural land.

Under the proposed system, municipalities would be able to issue AMPs directly, with penalties intended to encourage compliance. Unpaid fines could be added to property tax rolls for collection.

The province also says the Ministry of Transportation is working to identify suitable sites for legal truck parking in regions including Peel, York, and Halton, where demand has contributed to unauthorized operations.

In Halton Hills, officials have reported more than 50 illegal truck depots and dozens of active investigations, underscoring ongoing enforcement challenges and the high costs associated with court-based penalties.