The Council of the Town of…

The Council of the Town of Collingwood have carefully reviewed and considered the contents of Schedule 10 of Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competiveness Act, 2018, which was read for a first time in December. Council have authorized staff to post the following comments to the Environmental Registry:

Council appreciate that the purpose of this legislation is to provide municipalities with the ability to react quickly to a potential economic development opportunities. Council would have the option of passing an enabling planning by-law that would reduce the typical time frame and cost of the municipal planning review process. New employment uses would be able to establish their businesses more quickly and therefore ensue that the Province is competitive with other jurisdictions trying to attract foreign and local investment.

Town of Collingwood Council does recognize that there will be no requirement for municipalities to pass Open-for-business planning by-laws. Despite being optional; Council does recommend that the Province should amend Bill 66 to provide all municipalities with the ability to establish their own rules and framework under which they could pass an Open-for-business planning by-law.

The framework that the Town of Collingwood would establish would require respect for best planning and environmental sustainability practices, and the principles established in other relevant legislation. The Town is very interested in ensuring that new economic development does not negatively impact the positive characteristics of the community that make it a great place ‘to live, work and play’. Therefore, Collingwood’s framework would also set out the type of investments that the community is interested in supporting, which would not be those with potential land use compatibility challenges.

Additionally, the Town of Collingwood’s framework would incorporate requirements for the provision of information to the public and opportunities for public consultation.

Town of Collingwood Council thanks the Province for the opportunity to provide comments on this legislation. Council asks that the Town be placed on the circulation list to receive any further information with respect to Bill 66.