On Friday, Nov. 15 in Halton Hills, the SUM-GTHA Mayors welcomed the Honourable Ted Arnott, MPP, Wellington-Halton Hills, Chair of the Board of Internal Economy and Speaker, who, from his perspective as Speaker of the House, provided insights into how provincial government can work together with local council to address pressing issues at a grassroots level.
A discussion regarding illegal land use—such as contractor yards and trucking depots on agricultural zoned land followed, and Mr. Arnott’s assistance was requested in bringing the issue to members of the Legislature.
Illegal land uses are affecting property values and the quality of life for citizens in the form of road safety issues, including an increase in fatalities, and degradation of environmental lands.
The existing legislative and policy tools surrounding illegal land use are cumbersome, economically inefficient and often ill-suited to address realities, and enforcement is becoming increasingly difficult and costly.
Municipal By-law officers are facing barred entry and intimidation at illegal land use sites, and often need to seek police intervention to keep the peace. Offenders view the costs associated with non-compliance as nominal, and simply just the cost of doing business. More powerful tools, such as injunctions, are required to enforce regulations and have offenders prosecuted through the court system as AMPS does not apply to land use issues as per The Planning Act.
We invite the province to join in creating a joint provincial/municipal working group aimed at tackling illegal land use issues.
We are appreciative that the Province continues to listen to the leaders of small urban municipalities and show support by making legislative changes to help our communities thrive. The SUM-GTHA looks forward to our continued collaboration on the issue of illegal land use and reach a solution.
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Contact:
Mayor Steve Pellegrini
Chair, Small Urban GTHA Mayors (SUM-GTHA)
mayor@king.ca
905-833-4029
