The Conservation Review…

The Conservation Review Board performs a very useful function in acting as court of last resort for both preservationist and the demolition industry. In the past many heritage resources were demolished in a forlorn hope in an appeal to cabinet.

Rather than dismantling the Conservation Review Board, the Board should have its mandate improved to allow for the CRB rulings to preserve a heritage resource to be binding.

Speaking as one who works in the building industry, the replacement of the OMB with LPATs is potentially an improvement to our industry. Allowing heritage preservation to be a function of a body with no training, background, expertise, or even understanding of Heritage, is a giant step backwards.

At present, the heritage act is a slated table that favours developers who want to destroy the heritage resources of the province. There are far too many examples of demolition by neglect that should be the focus of changes to the heritage act, not making in "easier for developers to do business".