PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President’s Report – November 18, 2023

Pedestrian in Toronto neighbourhood in the snow

The events of the past few years in Ontario reinforce the critical role of residents associations at the local level, and federations of residents associations, at the regional and provincial level, to address policy issues and advocate. The mantra “municipalities are a creature of the province” is regularly demonstrated in decisions, and legislation introduced and passed by the provincial government, some positive, but many with long term negative implications for such areas as greenbelt protection, cultural heritage, urban sprawl, and the climate crisis. Of course we are now seeing reversal of some of these changes, but many more remain. And changes are ongoing, that need to be analysed and understood.

President’s Report – June 18, 2022

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Thank you for your Association’s membership in FUN and for your (virtual) attendance at this year’s AGM on June 18.

While we are still meeting virtually we are seeing some semblance of normality, despite the changed behaviour regarding work and home. The long-term implications for neighbourhoods can be no more than conjecture.

The events of the past (over) two years reinforce the critical role of residents associations at the local level, and federations of residents associations, at the regional and provincial level, to address policy issues. The mantra “municipalities are a creature of the province” is regularly demonstrated in decisions, and legislation introduced and passed by the provincial government, some positive, but many with long term negative implications for such areas as cultural heritage, urban sprawl, and climate change.

President’s Report – June 5, 2021

Hamilton, Ontario

The events of the past (over) one year once again reinforce the critical role of residents’ associations at the local level, and federations of residents associations, especially at the provincial level, to address policy issues. The mantra “municipalities are a creature of the province” is regularly demonstrated in legislation introduced and passed by the provincial government “under cover of COVID.” COVID, as they say, “consumes all the oxygen in the room,” resulting in even less public attention than usual being paid to legislative and program changes, some positive, but many with long term negative implications for such areas as cultural heritage, urban sprawl, and climate change.

The government passed legislation exempting Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) from complying with the Government’s own Provincial Policy Statement (PPS). The PPS covers a myriad of policy areas from cultural heritage to environment.

President’s Report – June 20, 2020

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The key message I bring today is that events of this year, since COVID 19, continue to demand the critical role of residents associations at the local level, and federations of residents associations, especially at the provincial level, to address policy issues.  The mantra “municipalities are a creature of the province” is not only the law but is being actively practiced by the elected government. 

What are these issues we are dealing with? Here are examples: 

  • Bill 108 regulations
    Set rates for the new community benefit charge (CBC) which will produce less funding than before for public realm and public services needed as a result of development.
  • Tenant legislation – Bill 184 – The Protecting Tenants, Strengthening Community Housing Act, 2020
    Of which it has been said that “tenant protection (in the new legislation) begins and ends with the title”.

President’s Message – March 2011

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So much municipal activity is governed by provincial legislation. We hope that by FUN’s sharing of information we will learn about each other and our provincial government and that this will result in responses to our various concerns.

We recently took several steps to improve the outreach to our members and make neighborhood associations more aware of our existence. What follows are the results so far, largely thanks to the superhuman efforts of our communications and membership directors, Janice Brown (from Hamilton) and Harry Eaglesham (from Markham).