Major Concern: Change in the…

Major Concern: Change in the appeal process. The Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) becomes the final arbiter in proposed designations, and not municipal councils. As presently constituted, the Conservation Review Board (CRB) considers appeals and offers advice, but municipal council makes the final decision on designations. If this bill is passed as presently written local councils lose their authority over deciding what constitutes a heritage property of value and the recognition and protection of such. The likely result of such a paternalistic approach will be a discouragement to heritage designations. Just another step is being introduced in the designation process that municipal councils and municipal heritage committees will have to consider.
Other Concerns: Too many details are being left to the development of regulations. For example, the all-embracing phrase in the legislation: “prescribing or otherwise providing for anything that is required or permitted under this Act to be prescribed or otherwise provided for in the regulations, including governing anything required or permitted to be done in accordance with the regulations.”
Other Concerns: Lack of meaningful consultation. There was a complete lack of consultation with municipalities and the heritage community. Most of the proposals seem to have come from the development sector. The development of sound, balanced and consultative public policy has been neglected.