Provincial planning policy refers to province-wide directions and requirements that guide land use planning decisions by municipalities. These policies address matters of provincial interest like protecting agricultural land, ensuring efficient use of infrastructure, promoting affordable housing, and managing environmental resources. Municipal official plans and zoning must conform to or be consistent with provincial planning policies, depending on the legal requirement in each province. Ontario's Provincial Policy Statement, British Columbia's provincial interest guidelines, and similar frameworks in other provinces ensure local planning decisions align with broader provincial goals while still allowing municipal discretion on local matters.