April 30, 2019 Alex McLeod,…

April 30, 2019

Alex McLeod,
Natural Resources Conservation Policy Branch,
Water Resources Section,
300 Water Street,
Peterborough ON K9J 8M5

OPPI’s Response to Focussing Conservation Authority Development Permits on the Protection of People and Property (ERO Registry Number: 013-4992)

Dear Alex:

On behalf of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), I am pleased to submit our response to the government’s consultation regarding the proposed amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.27.

OPPI is the recognized voice of Ontario’s planning profession and our over 4,500 members, and grants the designation of Registered Professional Planner (RPP). RPPs are the skilled, professional and dependable experts that are employed to help lead communities toward the Ontario of tomorrow. They are the local experts that bring together differing points of view, consult and develop recommendations to provide informed choices for decision-makers and elected officials. RPPs act in the public interest as professionals who work to improve the quality and livability of communities in Ontario today and their sustainability over the long-term. OPPI is well-positioned to provide feedback on the proposed amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act since many RPPs are employed by Conservation Authorities (CAs) and our members who work in municipalities confer with CAs.

OPPI has expressed its support of amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act and to modifications to the relationships between conservation authorities and municipalities. OPPI, in its sphere of interest, agrees with the proposal to “streamline the type of permit as well as the permitting process that conservation authorities are responsible for.”

In support of the position by OPPI regarding the review of the Conservation Authorities Act and the Regulation, I want to refer you the following submissions made by OPPI:

• Conservation Authorities Act Review, EBR Regulatory Number: 012-4509 (October 19, 2015)
• Conservation Authorities Act Review, Conserving Our Future proposed priorities for Renewal, EBR Registry Number: 012-7583 (September 9, 2016)
• Bill 139, Schedule 4 Amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act, EBR Registry Number: 013-0561 (July 31, 2017)

In keeping with the submissions by OPPI, we agree that the Ministry should establish one Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) regulation instead of Conservation Authorities implementing individual regulations under Section 28 of the Act. OPPI has stated in several submissions that there needs to be less overlap between Section 28 development permits and municipal planning decisions.

In addition to the written submission regarding Bill 139, OPPI made an oral submission on October 16, 2017 to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. This submission summarizes the various OPPI opinions regarding Conservation Authorities and how they interact with planning in municipalities.

OPPI supports the intent of Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations - A Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan. In support of this submission, OPPI has had regard to a relevant statement in the Environment Plan (Page 48): “Work in collaboration with municipalities and stakeholders to ensure that conservation authorities focus and deliver on their core mandate of protecting people and property from flooding and other natural hazards, and conserving natural resources.”

OPPI is happy to work with the government and consult with provincial staff to discuss this submission in the context of our previous stated submissions. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with provincial staff to discuss our submission and broader legislative changes, and answer any questions you may have. Should you have any questions regarding our submission, please feel free to contact me at 416-483-1873 or by email at executivedirector@ontarioplanners.ca.

Sincerely,

Mary Ann Rangam
Executive Director, Ontario Professional Planners Institute