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New Tecumseth confirms correspondence to the province after special council meeting

May 14, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

A province-wide proposal for massive development in New Tecumseth has raised significant concerns among residents and New Tecumseth council.

A special council meeting was held on April 29 to discuss growth and housing needs in South Simcoe.

Council received a presentation and correspondence related to growth management and Official Plan Amendment No. 5, as well as Report #PD-2026-13.

At this time, no decision has been made on Official Plan Amendment No. 5, and staff are reviewing potential next steps.

The new potential plan calls for massive development in Alliston, Beeton, and Tottenham.

Arguments against such development were discussed at the Council meeting, with concerns about infrastructure, the inability of close to 100,000 new residents to be able to commute to jobs in other towns effectively, and the changing dynamic of so many new people in a town that was not designed to accommodate a population of that size.

Council also unanimously passed a resolution directing that Report #PD‑2026‑14 be forwarded to the Province of Ontario as part of the consultation process for Environmental Registry of Ontario posting No. 026‑0383.

Through this resolution, council confirmed that it does not support the provincial priority projects and that its comments made during the Special Council Meeting be included in the communication to the province. Council further directed that the town be a party to discussions to better define potential community benefits related to the proposed projects, and that the correspondence be circulated to Council and made publicly available.

“As a community, we understand the importance of growth and the role municipalities play,” said Mayor Richard Norcross. “We are prepared to work with the Province, but when proposals move forward without the funding, tools, or clarity municipalities need to support them responsibly, then respectfully, that is a no thank you. Our focus must remain on building complete, sustainable communities that work for our residents.”

Council passed a motion to forward a letter to the province with its concerns about the proposed development. 

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