Re: Bill 23, More Homes…

Re: Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (ERO #019-6196)

Ontario Museum Association

Dear Ministers,

We are writing to provide comments on proposed changes under Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. The more than 700 museums, galleries, and historic sites across the province are located in every community— urban, rural, Northern, Indigenous, east and west—and serve as vital community-building infrastructure. Museums are heritage assets, key to education, employment, economic development, tourism, culture, and equity. As trusted public institutions, museums foster social wellbeing and visitor engagement through high-quality, authentic experiences and connections. Museums play a vital role in rebuilding and reconnecting Ontario, both socially and economically.

The Ontario Museum Association (OMA) calls on the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism and the government for legislation that ensures Ontario’s irreplaceable heritage is protected. The OMA calls to maintain all possible protections for heritage assets, including through the Ontario Heritage Act, and calls for support of heritage designation with broad applicability for the stewardship of valuable heritage assets and museums across the province. The OMA discourages proposed changes to existing protections (listing and designation under the Ontario Heritage Act and the Standards and Guidelines for heritage Properties) as these changes may put at risk museums and the important places that are part of the heritage of diverse communities across Ontario.

Bill 23 proposes changes to the Planning Act and Development Charges Act that substantially threaten the essential support provided to museums by municipalities. Municipalities contribute the largest amount of funding for community museums and are vital to their sustainability. The Province must protect the level of operational funding provided.

There is recognized responsibility of government to protect heritage assets held in the public trust and to maintain public confidence. The museum and heritage community stands ready to provide expertise and experience to ensure legislative changes are community-driven in the service of all Ontarians, and protect sustainable funding for museums.

Ontarians value the presence of museums in their communities; they improve quality of life—this public value drives investments in preservation and revitalization made by individuals, the private sector and governments. Museums deliver a social return on investment that makes our communities vibrant and vital places to live, work, visit and invest now and in the future.

Bill 23 jeopardizes Ontario’s potential to offer a variety of distinct places and experiences that attract local, provincial, national and international tourism.

Please see the attached fulsome submission.