I am objecting to Schedule…

I am objecting to Schedule 12 Section 3 of proposed Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024, limiting the right to appeal the approval of official plans and more specifically to the retroactive application of Bill 185.

I have an appeal in process with the Ontario Land Tribunal appealing a new policy in the Township of Muskoka’s Lakes recently adopted Official Plan. The Township has put a limit on recreational development across a large swath of lakes based upon an arbitrary threshold that isn’t based on science, isn’t related to water quality or environmental factors and doesn’t take into account site or lake specific conditions.

The new policy means that I’m not able to build a home on family land that’s been in my family for over 140 years despite site specific conditions that meet the intent of the policy and otherwise meets the requirements within the Township’s Official Plan.

Bill 185’s retroactive elimination of my appeal rights, to an appeal already in process, means I would no longer be able to fight the Official Plan after having spent time, effort and money on the appeal process.

Please reinstate the right to appeal the approval of official plans or at the very least please do not retroactively remove that right for any appeals that have already been filed with the Ontario Land Tribunal before Bill 185 is passed whether or not a hearing has been scheduled.