I'm glad this provincial…

I'm glad this provincial government recognizes that housing affordability is a problem, but am extremely disappointed with many of the recommendations for its amelioration. In particular I am appalled by the Task Force's attack on heritage and local control over heritage and wider issues of good planning.

The proposals do make it easier to achieve infill development, which is a good thing, but in general favour new construction over the reuse or recycling of existing structures In addition, they remove much of the authority for planning from local communities and add the completely negative and inappropriate requirement that municipalities compensate owners for heritage designation. Such a rule will render the Heritage Act moot. It is also shocking that application fees to appeal planning matters will be set at $10,000. This affects not only heritage, but all planning issues with which communities and local governments are concerned.