[All] OMB and NEB

[Lanteigne]

Hi Everyone! 

Today it was announced that the Ontario Government has scrapped the Ontario Municipal Board. In it's new place will be a local tribunal appeal system. For those using the tribunal system, the government is also providing legal support.  The new body would have less scope for overruling city decisions on what can be built where. Under new reforms, the tribunal will make decisions only on whether or not a municipality has followed its planning process and land use plans. If it hasn't, the issue will be sent back to the municipality for reconsideration. That will mean fewer municipal decisions can be overturned.
Our region has worked very hard to establish our local policies and to promote public engagement but I am concerned for other municipalities who lack the same protection measures. The success or failure of this system is really dependent on the quality of local policies and the residents willing to to defend them. 

News story is online here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/omb-changes-1.4117063
Also in the news, an expert panel appointed by the Federal Liberals has come up with a report that recommends replacing the NEB.  They proposed that a new Ottawa based organization called the Canadian Energy Transmission Commission be established to replace the NEB.  It also recommended the creation of a new energy information agency. The proposed commission would retain an office in Calgary and its expertise on pipeline safety in that city but a new board of directors, support staff with other functions such as an expanded expertise on electricity transmission issues and communications officers would be added in Ottawa.
Here is their 88 page report here: 
https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/sites/www.nrcan.gc.ca/files/pdf/NEB-Modernization-Report-EN-WebReady.pdf

Public comments on this report are now open until June 14. 
https://na1se.voxco.com/SE/129/NEBMod/

Have a great day everybody!
Lulu :0)





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