Watson & Associates Projects Recognized at 2025 OPPI PlanON Awards
Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. is proud to have been involved in several award-winning projects selected by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and celebrated at the 2025 PlanON Awards Ceremony, which was held on September 18.
We congratulate all the winners and are honoured to have played a role in these outstanding initiatives.
Vision Award of Excellence - Project of the Year
One Land, One Climate, One Future, Together - New County of Essex Official Plan:
One Land, One Climate, One Future, Together is the foundation of the new County of Essex Official Plan. This plan is a land stewardship plan to protect the agricultural and natural heritage systems in Essex County while addressing significant growth. The growth is focused on complete communities - a full range of housing and jobs, active transportation focused, transit-ready, at greater housing and employment densities to minimize the impact on the agricultural and natural heritage systems. This Official Plan is a hallmark of County collaboration with lower-tier municipalities and First Nations - integrating the community growth needs of all within a framework of communities
Our Role: Watson prepared the Phase 1 Background Report for the Essex County Official Plan (Population, Housing and Employment Growth Forecast)
Our Team Members:
- Jamie Cook, MCIP, RPP, PLE
- Brad Post, MCIP, RPP, PLE
- Vlad Petrov, PLE
- Catherine Jiao
Vision Award of Excellence
Guelph’s Housing Affordability Strategy and Innovative Community Planning Permit System:
In response to a critical housing affordability crisis, the City of Guelph developed its Housing Affordability Strategy (HAS), a comprehensive plan comprising 30 targeted actions aimed at increasing the affordable housing supply, reducing barriers, and fostering partnerships. Integral to the HAS is the Community Planning Permit System (CPPS), an innovative planning tool that streamlines approvals by consolidating zoning by-law amendments, site plan approvals, and minor variances into a single permit process. Together, the HAS and CPPS is the cohesive, data-driven framework that will guide the City in addressing its immediate housing needs while growing in a sustainable way. This exemplifies innovative, equity-focused planning that advances the public interest and sets a replicable model for other municipalities in Ontario.
Our Role: Watson prepared a housing market analysis, housing needs assessment, and a series of pro forma feasibility analyses as part of the study.
Our Team Members:
- Erik Karvinen, MCIP, RPP, PLE
- Gisele Sarbandi, MCIP, RPP
Vision Award of Merit
Dufferin County - Master Housing Strategy (2024):
The County of Dufferin, alongside Watson & Associates Economists, prepared a comprehensive Master Housing Strategy for the entirety of Dufferin County. Prepared to broaden the affordable housing options available to citizens in Dufferin County, the Master Housing Strategy brings forth recommendations surrounding strategic investments, policy reforms, and the leveraging of existing resources to assist the County of Dufferin in creating a more affordable housing stock. With the County of Dufferin expected to experience significant population growth over the next 20 years, the Master Housing Strategy will help balance the need for affordable housing with the additional need to establish a socially and economically flourishing County.
Our Role: Watson prepared a Growth Analysis technical report to help inform the Master Housing Strategy.
Our Team Members:
- Erik Karvinen, MCIP, RPP
- Vlad Petrov, PLE
- Gisele Sarbandi, MCIP, RPP