I am writing on behalf of…

I am writing on behalf of Friends of Kensington Market, a community organization that is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Kensington Market for the good of its community.

As an organization that fights bad development in a historically important part of Toronto, we are very concerned about the changes in development charges and the return of the OMB. Communities fought long and hard to get a better mechanism for settling disputes, one that respects the particularity of neighbourhoods. As an adjudicative tribunal, the new LPAT has proven to be fairer and more respectful of municipal autonomy. It is essential for city's to have control over development, and to be able to legislate density. With the return of the OMB, cities are once again at the mercy of an unelected tribunal that can revisit decisions in their entirety.

A second aspect of concern is the changes to development charges. These are essential to the growth of a city and should respect the principle that growth pays for growth.

We believe that the principle of municipality must be respected in any legislation, for the good of neighbourhoods, cities, and the province as a whole. We urge the government to slow down and consult with municipalities and the public.

Dominique Russell, Chair
Friends of Kensington Market