Ontario Municipal Board Reform
Land use planning decisions are of key importance to achieving long-term community growth that is strong, healthy and sustainable. As part of the province’s planning reform initiative to improve the land use planning system and build strong communities, we reviewed the role of the Ontario Municipal Board to ensure that Ontario has an open, fair and transparent land use planning appeal process.
The Ontario Municipal Board is an independent tribunal that hears appeals from landowners, the public and others on land use planning matters. It hears appeals of municipal decisions, and appeals where no decision has been made on planning applications within timelines set out in the Planning Act.
During the summer of 2004, as part of our planning reform initiative, we conducted public information and consultation sessions across the province. We listened to Ontarians and we heard that there was the need for higher accountability and transparency in Ontario Municipal Board procedures. Ontarians told us they want the Board to be more accessible and user-friendly.
We thank all Ontarians who gave us their input and advice.
Planning Reform
On November 30, 2004, the Strong Communities (Planning Amendment) Act, 2004, (Bill 26) received Royal Assent. This new Act gives municipalities more time to review and approve development applications and prevents appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board of urban expansions opposed by municipal governments. This will help local governments address the issue of undesirable urban expansion and sprawl. The Act allows the province to declare certain matters under appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board to be of provincial interest. The Strong Communities (Planning Amendment) Act, 2004, (Bill 26) also requires that planning decisions “shall be consistent with” the Provincial Policy Statement, which provides direction for all land use planning decisions. The “shall be consistent with” provision has been proclaimed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and came into effect on March 1, 2005 to coincide with the new Provincial Policy Statement (2005) and will apply to those applications and matters commenced on or after March 1, 2005.
The new Provincial Policy Statement (2005) policies came into effect March 1, 2005. The new policies have been developed based on extensive public consultation across the province on the key land use issues facing Ontario. We heard from the public, stakeholders, municipal sector and many others that changes to key aspects of the planning system are necessary. The new policies provide direction on these key issues. They also provide clearer policies for municipalities, developers and the Ontario Municipal Board when making planning decisions.
The Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 (Bill51) complements and builds upon previous reforms. The Act empowers municipalities by providing more tools and flexibility to address their needs; makes further changes to create a more transparent, accessible and effective land use planning process; and makes the Ontario Municipal Board more effective and user friendly.
The government is acting on Ontarians’ priorities and is delivering real, positive change that will build strong, prosperous communities with a healthy environment and a quality of life that is second to none. The strength of our communities depends on smart, effective and accountable land use planning.