Philip English, Planner II, Planning and Urban Design, addressed the Committee and made a brief presentation that outlined staff comments on the, Get it Done Act, 2024, (Bill 162), that was introduced on February 20, 2024, which proposed to amend eight statutes, including the Official Plan Amendments Act, 2023, (Bill 150). He advised that the requests in the letter from the Mayor that was sent to Minister Calandra in December 2023, in response to Bill 150, were not addressed and that the current consultation period on Bill 162, closes on March 21, 2024. Staff are requesting direction to proceed with sending another letter to Minister Calandra to request that Bill 162, be amended to reflect the original requests made in December 2023.
Staff noted that in order to meet the March 21, 2024, consultation deadline this item appeared at General Committee instead of Development Services Committee, as the next Council Meeting is scheduled for March 20, 2024, to ratify this recommendation.
The Committee discussed the proposed changes to Bill 150, their potential impact to the City and inquired about changes to the Election Act.
Councillor Reid McAlpine requested an amendment to the Main Motion to vote on the two items in point 2 of the recommendation separately, which he withdrew upon return from Confidential Session.
The Committee resolved into Confidential Session to receive legal advice on this matter in case of future litigation. Please see item 14.