COUNCIL CALLS FOR 'MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION' ON BILL 23

THE REQUEST WAS MADE AT NIAGARA-ON-THELAKE'S LATEST COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PLANNING MEETING

You may have heard quite a bit on the news about Bill 23.

Bill 23, otherwise known as the More Homes Built Faster Act, is a piece of legislation brought forward by Doug Ford's provincial government that passed on third reading Nov. 28.

According to a report by staff, the Town of Niagaraon-the-Lake is worried about possible impacts Bill 23 will have, including "environmental protections, heritage conservation, allowing 'as-of-right' addition of up to three residential units per lot in all existing residential areas on servicing and character, site plan control and direction for urban design, public participation and consultation, municipal finances and existing taxpayers, acquiring parkland."

Staff estimate the town could forgo $925,000 to $1.3 million in development charges over five years. That shortfall would need to be met by the existing tax base or supplemented by the province.

At the town's latest committee of the whole planning meeting, held on Jan. 17, Coun. Sandra O'Connor put forward a motion for the town to send a letter to the province and certain ministers calling on the province to "engage in meaningful consultation with the municipalities of Ontario on the many short and long-term impacts expected as a result of Bill 23."

The letter asks that the "province recognizes and provides feasible solutions to address the negative impacts on municipalities including but not limited to, heritage, environment, food security, public consultation, loss of revenue to support growth infrastructure (e.g. development charges), in order to ensure that decision-making regarding growth will address the local needs of the various municipalities while achieving the growth objectives of the province."

"It is time to stand with other councils," said O'Connor.

Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa told council town staff had submitted written comments through the staff and committee process.

"Council has already begun the process of this. I see this as a continuation of it. I am happy to reaffirm it," said Zalepa, noting the town had shared a document with the province concerning heritage and their concerns related to that.

Coun. Erwin Wiens asked what the "ask was in the letter."

"When somebody reads this in Toronto is their response going to be: 'Yeah we haven't had meaningful consultation with the rest of the province'?" asked Wiens.

"I would rather go to the province with how Niagara-on-the-Lake will be negatively affected by a bill and a solution to that problem as opposed to saying, 'you haven't spoken to us,'" said Wiens. "How will this be received on the other end."

Coun. Gary Burroughs noted the town will be meeting with the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries in the near future.

The motion passed with a 6-3 vote.

Tim Balasiuk, Maria Mavridis, Nick Ruller, Burroughs, Zalepa and O'Connor voted in support.

Wiens, Wendy Cheropita and Adriana Vizzari voted against.