I have a few thoughts on…

I have a few thoughts on Bill 108, More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s Housing Action Plan, Schedule 12, Amendments to the Planning Act.

"enabling the Minister to mandate the use of the community planning permit system in areas specified by the Minister"
Where are the check and balances? In a democracy, one person doesn’t get to make decisions unilaterally.

"reducing decision timelines for municipalities and the province"
Speeding up the process by establishing ridiculously short timelines? So will that be accomplished by the elimination of a decision-making level? Obviously that is the intention. Again, this means eliminating checks and balances. Otherwise costly additional meetings of each decision-making level will be required. Where would the extra funds for more meetings come from? Neither option is acceptable. The time it takes to reach a reasoned decision is the time it takes.

"limiting third party appeals of plans of subdivision and approval authority non-decisions on official plans and official plan amendments."
So affectively, public input/dissent will be curtailed. Not acceptable ...in a democracy.

"requiring municipalities to authorize an additional residential unit in both the primary dwelling and an ancillary building or structure"
Thereby allowing anyone and everyone to create a rental unit anywhere, giving a free rein to unscrupulous would-be landlords? Bad idea.

"community benefit charges would be capped based on a portion of the appraised value of the land"
So big business and developers will pay no more than a residential owner?? Not equitable. Plus this reduces the funds available for community benefit.

"(The new Tribunal will have) regulation-making authority to exempt some types of developments from the new community benefits charge"
So, big business and developers could be exempted from the charge altogether! See above.

"a return to de novo hearings in all cases. This change would broaden the Tribunal’s jurisdiction over major land use planning matters (i.e., official plans and zoning by-laws and amendments) and would give the Tribunal the authority to make a final determination on appeals of such matters."
So all previous decisions may be overturned by the new Local Planning Appeal Tribunal and their decision is final. Again, where are the checks and balances here?

I do not support this Bill, and will not support a government that backs it.