I am opposed to this…

I am opposed to this legislation for the following reasons:

-returning to the former OMB rules and procedures is undemocratic - unelected bodies should not have veto rights over decisions by elected officials' 'de novo' hearings without reference to City decisions, planning etc. is appalling
-input into developments by local people must be strengthened
-people put in significant input into the development appeal process in 2017 which replaced the OMB with the LPAT (as currently exists), a more democratic appeal body with limited powers to overrule decisions elected municipal officials; it gave new policies to give people in communities more voices in the the planning proces
-the former OMB process put people at a disadvantage during the appeals process as costly lawyers are often needed in the process - an incredible disadvantage compared to developers with resources
-people have the right to have a strong say in what happens in their communities and neighbourhoods; why is the government wanting to reduce the weight of planning decisions made by local, elected municipalities and enable the new OMB/LPAT to make decisions without local consultation with the people
- again, with community benefits, why are you limiting the ability of local authorities to negotiate improvements that benefit the local people in those communities?
- reducing the time local planners have to review applications will ultimately allow applicants the ability to appeal to the more developer-friendly OMB/LPAT earlier in the process, having the effect of circumventing local planning review processes

I get you have constitutional authority over municipalities but you also have a democratic commitment to listen to 'the people' if you are really 'for the people', and not development under the guise of increasing affordable housing.

Thanks