As a result of the…

As a result of the Provincial government’s recent introduction of Bill 108, More Homes, More Choices Act, 2019, Waterloo Regional Council undertook a review of the amendments to the varied pieces of legislation.

Attached is a cover letter from Regional Chair Karen Redman together with a copy of the staff report reviewed by Council. Regional Council unanimously agreed to submit its input and recommendations, per the report.

Simply put, Regional Council does not believe that the proposed amendments to the Development Charges Act and section 37 of the Planning Act will meet the Provincial objectives to increase housing supply and affordability in Ontario. Many of the proposed legislative amendments in Bill 108 are contrary to the advice and input provided by most municipalities during the consultation process.

Below are the key recommendations from Regional Report No. PDL-CPL-19-24/PDL-LEG-19-37 dated May 28, 2019 regarding the proposed changes to the Ontario Heritage Act. Please refer to the report for the more detailed comments.

Schedule 11 – Proposed Amendments to Ontario Heritage Act.

The Province should not transfer the authority to make final decisions with respect to heritage-related matters to the LPAT; and

In drafting the prescribed principles noted above, the Province should consider incorporating those principles that form the basis of existing international heritage conventions and charters, and Parks Canada’s Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.