FUN ADVOCACY POSITIONS

Greater Toronto Area West Corridor Project (Highway 413)

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The Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods Ontario (FUN) deplores the Ontario government’s recent decision to reactivate the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Greater Toronto Area West Highway Corridor, the study area covering portions of York, Peel and Halton regions, which was suspended in 2015. This project if given the go-ahead, would cost billions of dollars, pave over prime farmland and part of the Greenbelt, increase water pollution and raise emissions that cause climate change.

Housing Supply Consultation

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New housing development

The Housing Supply Consultation document appears to start from the premise, one frequently expressed by the private sector, that the housing supply issues may largely be blamed on government “red tape”, and difficulties in delivering housing as being snarled in delays and confusion. If you view the amount of development activity under way in Toronto, it is incomprehensible to state that our current progress is “too slow”. Thousands of units are currently being held up due to the LPAT transition date delay. It’s even more incomprehensible when you factor in the lack of public investment in infrastructure, transportation, schooling, community services, etc. It is utterly ridiculous to attempt to “reduce red tape” without addressing the need to increase investment in public infrastructure.

Cancellation of the Local Planning Appeal Support Centre

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Nobleton development

Less than one year into its operation, the Province has announced that the Local Planning Appeal Support Centre (LPASC) is being shut.

LPASC was launched in April 2018 to help people understand and navigate the land use planning and appeal process in Ontario. The LPASC Act, 2017 mandated the establishment and administration of a cost-effective and efficient system for providing support services, and to establish criteria for determining the eligibility of persons to receive the support. The LPASC has until June 30, 2019 to wind down the business. Effective immediately, LPASC will no longer be accepting new requests for professional services from the public.

The Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods (Ontario) has sent the following letter to the Ontario Government protesting this action.

Cancellation of Greater Toronto Area West Corridor Project

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FUN Letter of Appreciation Hon. Kathryn McGarry, MPP Minister of TransportationEmail: km**********@*********la.org RE: Cancellation of Greater Toronto Area West Corridor Project The Federation of Urban Neighborhoods Ontario (FUN) applauds the Ontario government on its February 9, 2018 decision to accept the expert advisory panel’s recommendation that the proposed GTA West corridor is not the best … Read more

FUN Letter on Expansion of the Greenbelt

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Ontario greenbelt expansion proposal 2017

The Federation of Urban Neighborhoods strongly supports the expansion of the Greenbelt in the Outer Ring of the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH).

We also welcome the provincially led process underway to define the study area, and its focus to preserve important water features under pressure from urban development. We further hope that the ministry considers designating other watersheds not in the study area for similar protection.

The Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods Ontario (FUN) includes residents’ associations in several urban communities in the GGH, who are aware of the importance, and sensitivity of the ecological assets of the region and the increasing pressures from a growing population.

FUN’s oral submission to the 2018 Budget Consultation

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Resident associations are concerned about maintaining and improving quality of life for all residents in our communities. This is critically important today as cities compete for growth. We are reminded of this with the race for the selection of a second HQ for Amazon. The competition is as much about quality of life, physical, social and economic equity, and healthy cities, as anything else. Having a well planned city that has views, landmarks, heritage, recreation opportunities, the ability to move safely and efficiently using alternative modes of transportation are all important.

FUN Supports FoNTRA’s Submission on the Development Approval Roundtable Action Plan, November 2017

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FoNTRA logo

The Federation of North Toronto Residents Associations, FoNTRA, wishes to express its comments on the above noted initiative, which was established under the 16-point Housing Action Plan with senior representation from the province, GTHA, municipalities, and the development and real estate industries1 but without any public input or engagement!

FUN opposed to proposed GTA highway and supports the Environmental Defence submission.

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Stop Highway 413

The Ontario government is about to make a big decision that will tell us a lot about what the future of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area will look like. The reason is that, according to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), the fate of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the GTA West, AKA Highway 413, will be decided within the next 60 days.

The EA estimates the highway will cost $4 to $6 billion to construct, excluding the expense of land expropriation and ongoing highway maintenance.

FUN supports FoNTRA on OMB Reform

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Our organization was founded 17 years ago, in part, over the frustration felt by community and neighbourhood associations from across Ontario over the use of the OMB tribunals by the development industry to overturn local official plans and even provincial policies. This was accomplished by developers taking advantage of procedural changes over the years at the OMB: changes which favoured “expert” evidence that less well-funded respondents (and even some local authorities) lacked the money and resources to challenge…

FUN Submission Re: The Ontario Municipal Board – September 30, 2016

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September 30, 2016 Submission Re: The Ontario Municipal Board Should the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) be abolished? The Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods (FUN) believes that it should be retained, as alternatives would be more expensive and difficult to use. What is needed are major reforms that address the concerns of the community. The OMB was … Read more