Category: NEWS - Page 16 - Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods

Richmond Hill Decision on Parkland Appeal

Published on: September 18, 2016 | Last Updated on: October 13, 2020

Municipalities across Ontario have reason to celebrate as a recent landmark decision by the Divisional Court may generate millions of dollars for parkland at the cost of the development industry.

In Richmond Hill (Town) v. Elginbay Corporation,1 the Divisional Court considered whether the Ontario Municipal Board (the “OMB”) has the authority to set the alternative rate for the conveyance of parkland in a municipality’s official plan. The Court concluded that the OMB did not. By imposing a cap on the alternative rate in the Town of Richmond Hill’s official plan, the Court held that the OMB overstepped its jurisdiction and unnecessarily fettered the discretion of the Town to make its own decisions, contrary to the intent of the Legislature.

Uxbridge OMB Appeal

Published on: November 25, 2015 | Last Updated on: October 13, 2020

A controversial townhouse development proposed for 62 Mill Street in Uxbridge is slated to go to the Ontario Municipal Board for a decision. When council turned Monday to a report by township planning consultant Elizabeth Howson regarding the proposed development, Mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor announced that the applicant has already taken the application to the OMB. “It’s out of our hands,” the mayor said.

FUN Letter re: Victims of Communism Memorial

Published on: November 24, 2015 | Last Updated on: October 13, 2020

I am writing in my capacity as President of the Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods (FUN Ontario), with regard to the proposal to construct a “Memorial to the Victims of Communism” adjacent to the Supreme Court of Canada building in Ottawa.

We wish to add our voice to the groundswell of opinion questioning the plans for the Memorial, including the Globe and Mail (Mar. 29 editorial), the Ontario Association of Architects, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mayor Jim Watson of Ottawa and a majority of his Council, the present and former MPs for this area Ottawa Citizen (Oct 20).

Pre-2016 FUN Advocacy Positions

Published on: July 27, 2015 | Last Updated on: October 14, 2020

2011-2015 Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods advocacy positions on provincial and municipal policies, planning and legislation.

FoNTRA supports Bill 52 – anti-SLAPP legislation

Published on: January 14, 2015 | Last Updated on: October 5, 2020

We are writing in support of Bill 52, Protection of Public Participation Act, 2014 which you introduced in the Ontario Legislature on December 1, 2014. The Bill, which is substantively the same as former Bill 83, was debated for Second Reading on December 10, 2014, and received supportive comments from members of all Parties at that time.

Bill 52 provides an effective response to the problem of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) in Ontario and would prevent the misuse of the courts from SLAPP suits without depriving anyone of appropriate remedies for expression that causes significant harm. It reflects the recommendations of the Anti-SLAPP Advisory Panel that was established four years ago to provide advice on the content of legislation to target SLAPPs.

Capital Region Citizens’ Coalition for the Protection of the Environment Presentation (2014)

Published on: June 28, 2014 | Last Updated on: October 5, 2020

A presentation made at the 2014 FUN AGM by the Capital Region Citizens’ Coalition for the Environment regarding the proposed Taggart-Miller dump.

The proposed project is not needed, is in a high-risk location, and is being forced on an unwilling host community – we do not want Taggart-Miller’s dump (being built for the sole benefit of a private company – at the risk of the local community and the environment)

Response from Minister Jeffrey re: OMB

Published on: June 13, 2013 | Last Updated on: October 6, 2020

Thank you for your letter of May 16, 2013, in which you provided me with the Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods’ recommendations regarding the Ontario Municipal Board. I also note the Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods’ support of the Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Association’s recommendations regarding the planning system.

I appreciate that the recommendations in your letter are based on the collective experience of a number of residents’ associations. I also note that the recommendations, along with those from the Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Association, cover a range of matters from how planning matters are dealt with before an appeal is made, to funding issues and the Board process.

Letter to Minister Jeffrey re: OMB

Published on: May 15, 2013 | Last Updated on: October 6, 2020

The Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods of Ontario Inc., on behalf of its Member Associations and their affiliates, makes the following recommendations regarding the Ontario Municipal Board based upon a survey of urban resident associations:

1. The OMB should be restricted in its powers so that it could only hear an appeal of a development decision by a municipality on the basis that the municipality has contravened federal or provincial legislation, the Provincial Planning Document and/or its Official Plan…

Letter to Premier Wynne re: Municipal Elections Act & Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

Published on: April 15, 2013 | Last Updated on: October 5, 2020

The Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods of Ontario Inc. requests that your government take immediate action to amend the Municipal Elections Act and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act to address our concerns about the abuses of, deficiencies in and lack of enforcement of the current Acts.

We would also highlight our strong concern that the Municipal Elections Act be amended to prohibit contributions by corporations and trade unions to municipal candidates.

Queen’s Park Update – Spring 2012

Published on: May 15, 2012 | Last Updated on: October 6, 2020

Queens Park Update is a periodic publication of FUN. In this Spring 2012 Edition, we highlight several issues of interest to residents’ associations and citizens:

The Ontario Municipal Board
Five Year Review of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005
Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP)
Protecting Heritage Views of Queen’s Park, and Preserving the Dignity of Ontario’s Capital Precinct
Election Financing Reform
Private member’s bill requiring paved shoulders
Mega-Quarry in Dufferin County and Review of the Aggregates Act