Burlington Mayor's Office and City Staff Working to Respond to Province's Bill 108

The Province recently announced legislative changes in its Bill 108 that would see the old rules of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) return under the new Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) — staff has also been looking deeper into this piece of provincial legislation to learn other potential impacts to our municipality.City of Burlington staff, as well as myself and my office are working on multiple fronts to ensure we send out the community's message surrounding Bill 108 — our staff has identified 13 pieces of legislation that are affected by this bill. We're going to make sure we are ready to respond and that Burlington's voice is heard on these issues.My office will be talking to Burlington MPP Jane McKenna, Oakville North-Burlington MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, and we have been in talks with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark on Bill 108 and related items to it.I am also working with the Large Urban Mayor's Caucus of Ontario (LUMCO) and the Mayors of Halton's municipalities and Regional Chair in deciding the best ways to respond.On Monday (May 13), during the Committee of the Whole meeting, staff will present a verbal update on the possible impacts Bill 108 will have on development charges and council members will be made aware of the high level work that is currently being done. Staff will prepare more fulsome comments at the Council Meeting on May 27.On Tuesday, May 21, staff will be present a verbal update on the possible impacts Bill 108 will have on planning policies and processes.MY TAKE:As I stated before on social media, reverting back to the older rules of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) is a duplication of efforts – adding more time, more money and more red tape at a time when the Province’s Regional Government Review is underway looking for efficiencies. I don’t believe this will speed up development of affordable housing, in fact, it will slow it down and add costs.