tedeaston

This has to become a real drink via a social media campaign so large that you're forced to report on it.

When is Anna joining twitter?

Thanks for taking the time to take our questions!

The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) has been widely criticized by communities, urban planners, cities, and academics as favoring monied interests and developers over communities and municipalities.

In 2013 your government promised reforms to the OMB. In the fall of the same year, a public consultation process on improving land use planning that your government held specifically ruled out changes to the OMB. Toronto has also asked to be excluded from the OMB's jurisdiction.

Why has change been so slow to come to this body, and why do you believe it should still exist?

Hasn't the province committed funding towards the Hurontario LRT through Metrolinx? Good question, though - always better to have more information on such an important issue!

As a quick reply, here are some criticisms.

The board tends to side with developers over conservationists. In particular, appeals can be long and costly and favor those who can afford to drag them out.

It sets aside decisions by elected municipal authorities with drastic long-term consequences and little transparency. In particular, in redefining urban growth boundaries.

It lets politicians avoid many of the messy decisions of planning for which they are ultimately responsible. Board members are not adequately trained or reviewed in their decisions.

The board has contributed to urban sprawl in Ontario by not adequately weighing municipal decisions to focus on intensification.

A professor emeritus from the University of Ottawa compiles a list of problems and criticisms of the OMB. Terrible cover page.