On 30 May 2017, Bill 139, Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017 received first reading in the Ontario Legislature. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs has released a news release.
The proposed changes introduced by Bill 139 include:
- creating the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, which would replace the Ontario Municipal Board;
- creating the Local Planning Appeal Support Centre, an agency that would provide free information and support for citizens who want to participate in the land use planning appeal process;
- amending the Planning Act, the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the Ontario Planning and Development Act, 1994 related to appeals;
- modernizing the Conservation Authorities Act and guiding the conservation of Ontario's watersheds.
Wood Bull LLP will provide further detail and analysis on the proposed changes in the coming weeks.
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Related Blog Posts:
Bill 139 : Focusing on the New Tribunal is to Miss the Forest for the Trees - A Lesson in Legislative Misdirection - It’s the Appeal Provisions Which Count (Part 1 of a Longer Conversation about Bill 139)
Bill 139 Submission by Advocates for Effective OMB Reform
Bill 139 Proposed Planning Act Amendments - Comparison Table
WOOD BULLetin - Proposed Bill 139 - Government of Ontario's Proposed Changes to Overhaul the Land Use Planning Appeal System and Conserve Watersheds
Previous Blog Posts:
Province Proposes Changes to OMB / Land Use Planning Appeals System
OMB Review Public Consultation Comments Due 19 December 2016
Province Releases OMB Review Public Consultation Document
Provincial Review of the Ontario Municipal Board