The problem with this whole…

The problem with this whole set of amendments is that it is based on a demonstrably incorrect statement: " to make legislative and regulatory amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act to help remove barriers to housing development by updating how heritage properties are identified and conserved by municipalities and the Province of Ontario".
There is no evidence in any study or research that demonstrates that the OHA has barriers or causes barriers to housing development. In fact, the present OHA creates more housing by providing for restoring and adapting existing heritage buildings for housing. The examples are many across Ontario:
redundant heritage churches and schools have transformed into market housing and seniors housing; redundant industrial buildings have been turned into supportive housing and affordable housing.
Those transformations have been more sustainable and energy efficient than purpose-built new housing constructed of materials with a large carbon footprint. Heritage buildings were constructed with local labour and local materials, thus their embodied energy contributes to our sustainable future.
Our municipality, Guelph, has had a posted Municipal Register for more than 10 years, a Register that was created over more than a year with extensive municipal, property owner and local consultations. Each property included clearly rated using Reg 09 of the OHA. The process requires much staff time and citizen input that could not be effective and would be cost prohibitive in a limited time span.

These revisions to the OHA are unsupported and unresearched and should be shelved until they involve further consultation, and more truthful assumptions based on accurate research.