Next steps in OMB Reform are outlined in May 31, 2017 Government of Ontario message

A May 16, 2017 Toronto Star article is entitled: “Province plans to overhaul OMB and give more power to cities and citizens: Reformed appeals body to be renamed Local Planning Appeals Tribunal; will provide legal representation to residents for free.

Previous OMB-related posts include (among others):

Culture of COA and OMB decision-making has changed dramatically in 25 years: MPP Peter Milczyn

Feb. 17, 2017 Toronto Star: Contested Development – Parts 1, 2 & 3 in series about Ontario Municipal Board “wielding its unelected power”

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The following May 31, 2017 message  is from Bill Mauro, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Yasir Naqvi, Attorney General of Ontario:

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Proposed Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act

We are pleased to announce that the government introduced the proposed Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017 in the legislature. These proposed changes follow extensive public consultations.

Ontario is taking this action in order to overhaul the provincial land use planning appeal system to give communities a stronger voice and ensure people have access to faster, fairer and more affordable hearings.

For more information and background on the bill you may visit: www.ontario.ca/OMBReview

For a copy of the proposed Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, and to monitor the status of the bill through the legislative process, please visit the Legislative Assembly of Ontario website: www.ontla.on.ca

Comments on the proposed bill can be made through the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry at www.ebr.gov.on.ca (EBR Posting Number: 013-0590) or by email to OMBReview@ontario.ca. In addition, the bill proposes amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act which the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is leading – please visit EBR Posting Number: 013-0561.

We look forward to working with you as we move forward on this initiative.

Sincerely,

Bill Mauro,
Minister of Municipal Affairs

Yasir Naqvi,
Attorney General of Ontario

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PDF file of new release (English and French)

The news release can also be accessed here (the first file is in English; second file is the French-language version):

MMA 17-73913

MMA 17-73913 FR

Further posts

In subsequent posts, I will share additional information, that I have picked up here and there, regarding the proposed legislation.