Ontario Planning Process Undergoes Significant Changes: Bill 139 Receives Royal Assent

On December 12, 2017, Bill 139 received third reading and Royal Assent [PDF] in the provincial legislature, coming into force as the Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act (the Act). Bill 139 amends the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal Act, 2016, the Ontario Water Resources Act, the Ontario Municipal Board Act, the Planning Act, the Ontario Planning and Development Act, 1994 and the Municipal Act, 2001. In addition, Bill 139 also enacts the Local Planning Appeal Support Centre Act, 2017.

As we have discussed before, Bill 139 significantly overhauls the manner in which local planning decisions are reviewed in Ontario, placing greater authority in the hands of elected municipal councils and local planning authorities. Fundamental to these changes is the establishment of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), which will replace the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). For additional information on the changes effected by Bill 139 and a