Bill 108 changes o the…

Bill 108 changes o the Ontario Heritage Act would take away local communities' right to say what is important to them, what parts of the past the community values and wishes to pass on to future generations.

It would give this authority to the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal (LPAT), who can undo the work of democratically elected councils — and the Municipal Heritage Committees and trained heritage planning staff who support them. No current LPAT members have any background in heritage. Nor are they required to have heritage expertise or an understanding of the values of the community they are judging.

We don't need this radical departure. The current regulations 9/06 and 10/06 work. They provide criteria that help ensure communities are objective and consistent across Ontario. The specialist Conservation Review Board (CRB) reviews municipalities' work and provides an expeditious, low-cost alternative to lengthy LPAT appeals. Don't change a rule book that's working.

What's the rush? Take time to properly consult with the heritage and municipal sectors and get this right.