Ontario's oldest tribunal, the Ontario Municipal Board (the
"OMB"), is facing significant reform. As announced by the
province this week, the legislation to be introduced later this
month with considerably change the way the land use planning
appeals are dealt with.
Here are some of the major, proposed changes to the system that
you might see coming into effect:
- Look out for a name change
The province plans to replace the century-old "OMB"
name with the "Local Planning Appeal
Tribunal";
- The overhaul will create a true appeals
body
Under the new legislation, the majority of appeals at the
tribunal must be focused on whether the city failed to follow its
own rules or adhere to provincial policies. Further, any
significant new information raised during an appeal will have to be
sent back to the municipality for reconsideration.
