Email this pageLegislation Proposes Many Changes
Changes are coming for the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, the Building Code Act, 1992, the Municipal Act, 2001, the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the Planning Act.
The Good Government Act, 2009, which amends this legislation, has received Royal Assent. The reforms will take effect as parts of the legislation are proclaimed.
“Through these reforms we are strengthening the integrity of local elections and will better protect homebuyers,” says Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Jim Watson.
Municipal Elections Process
Several changes are being made to the Municipal Elections Act, which will create a more level playing field for candidates and promote greater accessibility. Some of these changes include:
- moving the election date forward to the fourth Monday of October, beginning October 25, 2010;
- a new contribution limit of $5,000 per contributor in each jurisdiction;
- greater accessibility to the election process for voters and candidates with disabilities; and
- elimination of the carrying forward of surplus campaign funds by candidates from one election to the next (existing surplus will be grandfathered for use in the 2010 campaign).
Building Code
Amendments to the Building Code Act will:- facilitate more effective enforcement action against illegal builders;
- establish clearer criteria for building permit applications; and
- enhance municipal enforcement of the Building Code Act.
Municipal and Planning Reforms
Changes to the Municipal Act and the City of Toronto Act will be in the areas of finance and accountability and transparency. They include:
- clarification that a municipal Auditor General’s functions are to be carried out in an independent manner; and
- all municipal restructuring orders with effective dates prior to January 2, 2005 will be revoked, except for provisions in orders that still have effect. (This would not undo any restructuring implemented by any of the affected municipal restructuring orders.)
Regulatory amendments will allow municipal services corporations to put in place corporate structures and subsidiaries.
Among other changes will be amendments to the City of Toronto Act, the Municipal Act and the Planning Act that:
- provide more flexible authority for Toronto to require and govern alternatives to green roofs; and
- provide all Committees of Adjustment with the ability to authorize variances from zoning by-laws that have been passed but that are not yet in effect.
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