The OMB Versus Petty & Inept Politicians

For all the criticism of the OMB by politicians and NIMBYers it truth is that if it were not for the OMB these groups would have to take the flak for their decisions.

OMB considers the big picture

Undemocratic OMB needs to be reined in

Editorial, Jan. 21.

I am writing to dispute some of your fundamental assertions with respect to the Ontario Municipal Board.

# The board is unaccountable. The OMB was set up to address an ongoing concern with regards to local politicians: These politicians are accountable only to local concerns, and ignore wider provincial or even Canada-wide concerns. The province has implemented a focused growth plan, known as "Places to Grow," which encourages intensification of urban areas. The building industry's main concern was that NIMBYism would frustrate the province's goal and we asked that the OMB's integrity not be compromised by local political meddling.

# The board is unfair. Unfair to whom? To the people who move into areas where conversions and intensification take place, to the people in areas outside the city who would otherwise face development pressures? The major problem with local politicians having the final say on planning issues (and not the OMB) is that they are not accountable to future residents and so do not consider their interests. This can manifest itself in arbitrary or just plain bad planning decisions.

# The board is undemocratic. On this point, there is some truth. However, like the judiciary in Canada, which is not democratic, there are higher principles at work here that cannot be ignored. Ultimately, OMB members are accountable to the provincial government, and thus are accountable to elected politicians. The whole system was set up to keep the OMB away from day-to-day meddling by local politicians.

You might be surprised to learn that many local politicians appreciate the work done by the Ontario Municipal Board. The board is an outlet for unpopular local decisions and it is hard to find criticism, with an objective assessment, that is justified in the fullness of time.

The OMB's role is to advance society's longer-term planning goals, and thus it would be a mistake to reduce its role in defining growth in this province.

Brian Johnston, President, Ontario Home Builders' Association, Toronto