The Planning Amendment and City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment Act
On May 20, 2021, the Province of Manitoba passed the Planning Amendment and City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment Act which allows the Municipal Board to reverse the decisions made by city council, including development permits. Explained by the Province of Manitoba, the Bill “provide(s) for planning regions and to make local land use decisions subject to appeal to the Municipal Board.”
I am concerned about the consequences of these appeals for property developers and home builders. There is limited certainty and transparency with this legislation.
The Municipal Board is given power to absolutely do over and overturn decisions of council. It is undemocratic and concerning, given that cases are facing undefinable costs because of the relative length of the Municipal Board and how much longer that is taking. Our property developers and home builders are already facing inflationary pressures, supply-chain issues, and labour shortages. We cannot have things in the way of our economic progress as a city or as a province.