Ontario to Overhaul the Land Use Planning Appeal System and Strengthen Conservation
QUEENS PARK Ontario has introduced legislation to overhaul the province’s land use planning appeal system and better preserve our natural environment.
“Ontario’s land use planning appeal system needs to work effectively for everyone. Our proposed legislation would help communities and municipalities better determine how their neighbourhoods develop in the future,” says Bill Mauro, Minister of Municipal Affairs.
The Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, would, if passed, make changes to the Planning Act to give communities a stronger voice in land use planning.
Ontario Municipal Board To Go
The new act would create the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal to replace the Ontario Municipal Board and ensure people have access to faster, fairer and more affordable hearings. The proposed changes would also create the Local Planning Appeal Support Centre. This agency would provide free information and support for citizens who want to participate in the land use planning appeal process.
The proposed legislation would also modernize the Conservation Authorities Act and guide the conservation of Ontario’s watersheds. The legislation would strengthen oversight and accountability, provide clarity for conservation authority roles and responsibilities, encourage public engagement and modernize funding mechanisms. These proposed changes will enable conservation authorities to support future provincial priorities and give them the flexibility to address growing environmental pressures.
Improving the land use planning appeal system and preserving Ontario’s environment is part of our plan to create jobs, grow the economy and help people in their everyday lives.
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