Use of soil and Canada Land Inventory information for agricultural land use planning in Ontario
Learn about soils mapping and the Canada Land Inventory soil capability rating system to support provincial planning policies for agricultural land.
This technical information is for municipalities, contractors and land use planners in Ontario.
Overview
The Planning Act, 1990 requires that land use decisions made by municipal councils, the Ontario Land Tribunal or other bodies must be consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS), 2024.
The PPS 2024 provides direction on the protection and designation of prime agricultural areas in municipal planning documents and establishes criteria to be considered when lands within a prime agricultural area are proposed for non-agricultural land uses. The PPS 2024 specifically refers to the Canada Land Inventory (CLI) system in its definitions of prime agricultural areas and prime agricultural land.
Canada Land Inventory (CLI) system
The CLI system is the recognized system in Ontario for classifying areas with mineral soils according to their inherent capability for growing common field crops. Common field crops include:
- corn
- wheat
- soybeans
- oats
- barley
- perennial forage crops such as alfalfa and timothy
The system does not classify soils for horticultural or other specialty type crops.
Since CLI emphasizes the inherent capability of an area for field crops, the present land use, land management, land area or ownership are not considered. For example, a forested area may have a high CLI rating even though it is not cleared and developed for agricultural use.
CLI mapping and soil information is available for land use planning and other uses.
Access Ontario’s soil datasets.
Although other systems of classifying land have been developed, the CLI system continues to be the accepted system in Ontario for land use planning.
The CLI classification system for agriculture is an interpretive classification system. It was developed under the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Act, 1990, a cooperative federal-provincial program aimed at providing a comprehensive national survey of land capability and use for various purposes.
Soil capability classes and ratings
The 7 different capability classes indicate the general capability of the soil for growing common field crops. The 13 different capability subclasses indicate the primary type of limitation or hazard for growing common field crops.
Learn more about soil capability for agriculture in Ontario.
A soil capability rating consists of a capability class number followed by a maximum of 2 subclasses represented by their appropriate letters (for example, 3FM). The severity of the limitations identified by the subclasses in the rating influences the class designation. 2 subclasses may be shown in a capability rating when they represent:
- limitations which are equal in severity and both place the soil in the same capability class
- a combination of limitations which together place the soil in a certain class
Single and complex capability ratings
Both single and complex capability ratings may be shown on capability maps. A single rating is shown in a map symbol when only 1 soil type occurs (such as 2T).
When 2 soil types occur in an area shown on the map, a complex capability rating is shown which includes separate ratings for each soil. The proportions of the area represented by each rating are indicated by a small numeral shown as a superscript after each rating. The numeric superscripts denote the proportion of the area out of a total of 10. For example, if the capability rating shown is 2T7 5R3, then 70% of the area is Class 2T and 30% is Class 5R.
Constraints in using CLI
The classification system is applied only to areas with mineral soils. It cannot be used to classify areas with organic soils. Organic soils are designated by the letter "O" on capability maps and have no CLI rating.
CLI maps published in Ontario present information at various levels of detail, depending on the scale of the soil survey maps they were derived from (Table 1). The original soil survey reports and maps that inform this work are available through the Canadian Soil Information Service.
Find additional soil data and mapping resources, including integrated and digital mapping tools.
Small scale maps such as 1:250,000 cannot show areas smaller than 250 hectares in size. Larger scale maps such as 1:50,000 provide more detailed information, but cannot show areas which are less than 12 hectares in size (Table 2). Capability ratings for small areas may not be shown on those maps. Soil capability maps at a scale of 1:50,000 are best suited for municipal planning purposes, and allow for the identification of large continuous prime agricultural areas.
While prime agricultural areas may have some areas of lower capability land and scattered non-agricultural uses, prime agricultural areas should not divide individual properties or exclude small, non-agricultural uses that are surrounded by agricultural uses.
For more information on soils and the CLI system, refer to soil capability for agriculture in Ontario.
| County | Year survey completed | ON report number | Scale | Date of last update | Scale of last update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind River-Sault Ste. Marie (now Algoma) | 1983 | 50 | 1:50,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Brant | 1989 | 55 | 1:25,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Bruce | 1954 | 16 | 1:63,360 | 1975 | 1:63,360 |
| Dufferin | 1963 | 38 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Dundas | 1952 | 14 | 1:63,360 | 1999 | 1:50,000 |
| Durham | 1946 | 9 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Elgin | 1929 | 63 - v1 63 - v2 | 1:126,720 | 1992 | 1:50,000 |
| Essex | 1949 | 11 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Fort Frances - Rainy River | 1986 | 51 | 1:50,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Frontenac | 1963 | 39 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Glengarry | 1957 | 24 | 1:63,360 | 1999 | 1:50,000 |
| Grenville | 1949 | 12 | 1:63,361 | 2001 | 1:50,000 |
| Grey | 1954 | 17 | 1:63,360 | 1981 | 1:63,360 |
| Haldimand - Norfolk | 1984 | 57 - v1 57 - v2 | 1:25,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Halton | 1971 | 43 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Hastings | 1962 | 27 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Huron | 1952 | 13 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Kenora - Dryden - Pointe Du Bois | 1983 | 52 | 1:50,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Kent (Chatham) | 1930 | 3 | 1:126,720 | 1996 | 1:50,000 |
| Kent (Chatham) Special Report: Soil Maps of Kent County | 1994 | Special report | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lambton | 1957 | 22 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Lanark | 1967 | 40 | 1:63,360 | 2000 | 1:50,000 |
| Leeds | 1968 | 41 | 1:63,360 | 2001 | 1:50,000 |
| Lennox-Addington | 1963 | 36 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Manitoulin | 1959 | 26 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Middlesex | 1931 | 56 - v1 56 - v2 | 1:126,720 | 1992 | 1:50,000 |
| Niagara | 1989 | 60 - v1 60 - v2 | 1:25,000 | N/A | N/A |
| North Bay (now Nipissing) | 1987 | 54 | 1:50,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Northumberland | 1974 | 42 | 1:42,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Ottawa - Carleton (excluding urban) | N/A | 58 - v1 58 - v2 | N/A | 1987 | 1:50,000 |
| Ottawa - urban fringe | 1979 | 47 | 1:25,000 | 1999 | 1:50,000 |
| Oxford | 1961 | 28 | 1:63,360 | 1996 | 1:50,000 |
| Parry Sound | 1962 | 31 | 1:126,720 | N/A | N/A |
| Peel | 1953 | 18 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Perth | 1952 | 15 | 1:63,360 | 1975 | 1:63,360 |
| Peterborough | 1981 | 45 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Prescott & Russell | 1962 | 33 | 1:63,360 | 1998 | 1:50,000 |
| Prince Edward | 1948 | 10 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Renfrew | 1963 | 37 | 1:63,361 | 1990 | 1:50,000 |
| Simcoe | 1962 | 29 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Stormont | 1954 | 20 | 1:63,360 | 1999 | 1:50,000 |
| Sudbury | 1983 | 49 | 1:50,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Thunder Bay | 1981 | 48 | 1:50,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Victoria (now Kawartha Lakes) | 1957 | 25 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Waterloo | 1971 | 44 | 1:20,000 | 1996 | 1:50,000 |
| Wellington | 1962 | 35 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Wentworth (Hamilton) | 1965 | 32 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| York | 1955 | 19 | 1:63,360 | N/A | N/A |
| Map scale | Field distances represented by map lines (metres) | Field distances represented by map lines (feet) | Minimum area identifiable on map (hectares) | Minimum area identifiable on map (acres) | Mapping objectives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:250,000 | 250 | 812 | 250 | 620 | Information for general purposes, broad provincial areas |
| 1:125,000 | 125 | 400 | 62.5 | 150 | Information for large sub-provincial areas |
| 1:50,000 | 50 | 160 | 10 | 25 | Information for municipal planning or watersheds |
| 1:25,000 | 25 | 80 | 2.5 | 6 | Information for groups of farms or sub-watersheds |
Specialty crop ratings
Specialty crops are fruit, vegetables and other crops grown commercially in Ontario that cannot be grouped with common field crops (such as corn). The PPS 2024 defines specialty crop areas. While the CLI does not provide a soils capability rating for specialty crop production, various publications and guidelines are useful for evaluating land and soil quality for specialty crops.
Soil suitability and supporting resources
More recent soil survey reports (Brant, Elgin, Haldimand-Norfolk, Middlesex and Niagara) include ratings of soil suitability for some specialty crops. The ratings published in these reports may also guide the interpretation of reasonably correlated soils in adjacent counties whose soil reports contain no such specialty crop interpretations.
The publication, A Compilation of Soil, Water and Climatic Requirements for Selected Horticultural Crops in Southern Ontario outlines general landscape and moisture needs for more than 40 different tree fruit, small fruit and vegetable crops. It comprises many of the soil principles used to arrive at the soil suitability ratings given in more recent soil survey reports.
Climate and site considerations
Irrigation and/or artificial drainage are often necessary, depending on the site and crop. Climatic regime needs consideration. The longer the frost-free period and the greater the heat units available, the greater the range and productivity of crops land tends to support.
Relationship to CLI classes
In general, soils that are interpreted to be prime (Class 1-3) for the common field crop types of corn, soybeans, small grains and forages will have viable suitability for a range of specialty crops. This is most true of sandy and loamy soils. Clayey soils are suitable for fewer types of specialty crops but may still be well suited for some crops.
For broader information on soil stewardship and long-term soil health, refer to New Horizons: Ontario’s Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation Strategy.
Prepare or update an official plan that identifies prime agricultural areas
Municipalities with an official plan are required by the Planning Act, 1990 to review their official plan at least every 10 years to ensure it:
- is consistent with the PPS 2024
- conforms with applicable provincial plans
- has regard for matters of provincial interests
During this process, municipalities should ensure the policies and mapping of their official plan reflect changing local needs and priorities. Resource areas of provincial interest such as prime agricultural areas, natural heritage resources and aggregate resources should be identified upfront so they can be considered when other planning issues are dealt with (such as the need to expand settlement areas).
Identifying and designating prime agricultural areas
The PPS 2024 defines prime agricultural areas as areas where prime agricultural land predominate. This includes areas of prime agricultural lands (specialty crop areas and/or CLI Class 1 to 3 lands) and associated CLI Class 4 through 7 lands, and additional areas with a local concentration of farms which exhibit characteristics of ongoing agriculture. The PPS 2024 requires planning authorities to designate prime agricultural areas including specialty crop areas.
Using CLI and other evaluation methods
CLI information is a key input to this process and is used alongside other data and methodologies, such as the Land Evaluation and Area Review (LEAR) and the Agricultural Land Evaluation System (ALES) to support the identification and mapping of prime agricultural areas.
Updating mapping and studies
As part of official plan reviews or updates, municipalities should ensure that mapping of prime agricultural areas reflects the most current available information, including updated CLI data, land use patterns and agricultural activity. Where appropriate, updated or new LEAR or ALES studies may be undertaken to support this work.
Specialty crop areas and protection priorities
Specialty crop areas receive the highest priority for protection of all prime agricultural areas. Identifying prime agricultural areas beyond specialty crop areas can be done using LEAR and ALES) processes. Both methods rely heavily on CLI mapping. More information on these methodologies is available from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) rural planners.
Municipalities may also consult Use of soil and Canada Land Inventory information for agricultural land use planning in Ontario for guidance on incorporating soil and CLI information into planning documents.
Request an official plan amendment for a non-agricultural use
Settlement area expansions
The PPS 2024 states that planning authorities may only exclude land from prime agricultural areas for new or expanding settlement areas in accordance with other criteria established in policy.
Conversion of prime agricultural areas to settlement areas should be avoided wherever possible. Under the PPS 2024, such conversions may only be considered in limited circumstances where they are supported by clear planning justification and it has been demonstrated that impacts on the agricultural system are avoided, minimized and mitigated through an agricultural impact assessment. Municipalities are encouraged to explore all other options for accommodating growth within existing settlement areas before considering boundary expansions.
Other non-agricultural uses in prime agricultural areas
Similarly, the PPS 2024, allows only limited non-agricultural uses—such as mineral aggregate extraction and certain non-residential uses—within prime agricultural areas, and only where need is demonstrated and no reasonable alternatives exist. Publication 851: Guidelines on Permitted Uses in Ontario's Prime Agricultural Areas provides additional direction on evaluating these proposals, including how to assess need, alternatives and potential impacts. Where this cannot be achieved, proposals should be directed to lower-priority lands within the prime agricultural area.
Identifying lower priority agricultural lands
Lower priority agricultural lands are determined based on CLI and factors such as:
- current land use
- amount of capital investment into agricultural infrastructure
- amount of land under active cultivation
- degree of fragmentation to the surrounding agricultural land base
- proximity to adjacent urban and rural settlement areas
The scale of existing CLI mapping is appropriate for the purpose of considering alternative sites.
Complete an environmental assessment
The Environmental Assessment Act, 1990 requires the evaluation of impacts associated with proposed public sector and some private sector undertakings on the environment (such as landfills, roads). The Environmental Assessment Act, 1990 broadly defines environment as including the natural, social, economic, cultural and built environments. Proponents must:
- identify and evaluate alternatives
- analyze effects
- identify impact mitigation
Consultation with the public, Indigenous communities and government agencies is mandatory and must also be documented.
Consideration of agricultural impacts
The potential impact of a proposed undertaking on prime agricultural areas and how impacts will be managed must be considered during the environmental assessment process.
Under the PPS 2024, new or expanded infrastructure in prime agricultural areas is treated as a non-agricultural use. These projects must demonstrate that impacts on the agricultural system are avoided, minimized and mitigated. An agricultural impact assessment or equivalent study may be required to evaluate potential effects on the agricultural system and to identify measures to maintain agricultural viability.
Apply for approval to operate a pit or quarry
Role of CLI in aggregate applications
Since CLI is the primary basis for determining capability for agriculture in Ontario, proponents and approval authorities for pit and quarry applications need to consider CLI information to be consistent with provincial policies that address the protection and rehabilitation requirements in prime agricultural areas.
CLI classification is also considered when applying for a license under the Aggregate Resources Act, 1990.
Learn more about the process for pit and quarry applications.
Agricultural impact assessment requirements
An agricultural impact assessment is required for proposed mineral aggregate operations located within prime agricultural areas, in accordance with the PPS 2024. This ensures that potential impacts on the agricultural system are identified, and that measures are in place to avoid, minimize and mitigate any loss of agricultural viability.