Bill 108 Passes Despite Halton & Milton’s Opposition

One of the outcomes of Bill 108 now that it has passed is that what little local control municipalities gained when the governing body changed to LPAT has now been taken away by going back to the OMB rules.

We as a town agree that red tape must be eliminated, but we can’t do it simply by putting more financial pressures on municipalities who have no choice other than reduce programs or further increase taxes. This law now puts fast growing communities like Milton under even further financial pressures.

The people of Milton understand that growth is happening but what they want the most is more local control of HOW their community is growing. By reverting back to old OMB rules, it ensures that the residents of Milton will have an even smaller voice on how we grow going forward.
Any reduction in the amount of development charges Milton and Halton Region can collect puts further financial pressures on both levels and eventually will lead to further tax increases.

Growth has never paid for growth, and with MPP Parm Gill and the province supporting this legislation, the Town will have less to provide for new infrastructure in high growth areas, slower development of parks and trails and lowering the quality of services like public transit to residents in Milton – our place of possibility.

Sadly this government didn’t listen when we asked to be at the table to discuss these changes. The bill has passed and its now the law and we are going to have to figure out how to keep up with a lot less.

Check out the interview and story from MYFM 101.3

https://www.miltonnow.ca/rss/bill-108-could-see-major-changes-to-the-halton-housing-market/