The McGuinty Liberals’ failure to reform the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) means backwards planning decisions, like the developments slated for the Queen West Triangle, will continue to be foisted on Toronto neighbourhoods, said NDP Municipal Affairs Critic, Michael Prue.

Yesterday, the OMB issued a decision allowing for the construction of several new high-rise buildings in the Queen West Triangle area, including: a 19-story condo building (part of the two-building Bohemian Embassy complex); an 18-story building at 48 Abell Street, a 15-story condo; a 14-story condo; and three eight-story buildings. In all, approximately 1,500 new units will bring at least 2,000 new people into the area.

“During Committee hearings on the McGuinty Liberals’ Bill 51, which included the government’s so-called ‘OMB Reforms,’ we heard from municipalities and citizens that the proposed reforms would not stop the OMB from making decisions contrary to the will of democratically elected councils, and contrary to the interests of communities,” said Prue.

“Without meaningful reform of the OMB process the Queen West Triangle decision will be replicated in other areas across the city,” said Prue. “Toronto needs the powers and autonomy to ensure that urban development unfolds in a sustainable fashion, and in keeping with the history, culture and architecture of our unique neighbourhoods, like Queen West. For this reason, the City of Toronto – not the OMB – must have final say over planning within City limits,” Prue added.

“The planning disaster unfolding in the Queen West Triangle needs to be stopped. Immediate intervention from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is required, and all legal channels, including an appeal of this wrong-headed decision to Cabinet, need to be pursued,” said Prue. “Further, the McGuinty Liberals must re-open the Planning Act and fix the OMB process so this ‘developer first and community last’ approach to development is brought to an end,” added Prue.