Heritage Ottawa calls upon…

Heritage Ottawa calls upon the province of Ontario to remove Schedule 11, which proposes changes to the Ontario Heritage Act, from Bill 108.

Regulations introduced to the Act in 2005 have been effective in ensuring the consistent application of provisions for designation under both Part IV and Part V of the Act. Research and information provided to the public, our Built Heritage Sub-Committee, Planning Committee and City Council provides all concerned with the necessary details and policy considerations required for well-informed recommendations and decisions on heritage matters.

An effective appeal mechanism already exists in the Conservation Review Board, which is staffed by appointees with the necessary experience and expertise in heritage conservation. Sending heritage appeals to the LPAT— whose members do not have this necessary experience and expertise in heritage matters — would place heritage properties across Ontario at needless and inappropriate risk of irreparable damage or loss.

Heritage policies must be stated in the Official Plan of each municipality in Ontario.

Local councils and municipal heritage committees in the province of Ontario have the best understanding of what buildings and districts make a valued contribution to their local heritage—and should therefore have final word on the protection of heritage properties in their municipalities.

There is no need for, nor benefit to, the changes proposed to the Ontario Heritage Act—but considerable risk.

For the continued protection of Ontario's heritage, we therefore respectfully request the removal of Schedule 11 from Bill 108.