Brampton Brick Limited…

Brampton Brick Limited operates a shale quarry for the purposes of clay brick manufacturing and is a member of the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (OSSGA). In addition to providing support to OSSGA’s submission dated August 14, 2017, we provide the following comments on Bill 139.

Aggregate applications are complex technical issues that require a multi-disciplinary approach. The existing municipal process for reviewing zoning or planning applications cannot adequately address the technical nature of aggregate applications. Often it is found that municipalities have inadequate resources for handling and addressing these technical issues. Also, the proponent is often not given the opportunity in these applications to speak openly with municipal staff to answer questions or provide additional detail where required.

Municipalities have a tendency to focus on local needs and issues foregoing the needs of the province

The elimination of cross-examination or oral submissions in a hearing will severely limit the municipality or proponent to fully address the needs of the Province and the needs of the local residents that will result poorer planning decisions.

Existing applications before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) should continue under the existing process. Neither the municipality nor proponent was able to fully participate in the mediation process and prepare for a hearing that will not accept oral submissions or cross-examination. Decisions regarding the application were made with the knowledge that a full OMB hearing would be available to them. In forcing the existing OMB applications to return to the municipal level would place an undue financial burden on both the taxpayers and proponents.

[Original Comment ID: 210891]