Naqvi makes good on campaign promise, launches Ontario Municipal Board review

It's a somewhatobscure quasi-judicial body that hears appeals on planning issues, but if your community hasbeen thesubject of intensification, you've probably heard of the Ontario Municipal Board.

And chances are, you're not too fond it.

MPPYasirNaqvifeels strongly that it is important that the residents of Ottawa Centre participate in the review process.- YasirNaqvi'spress release announcing the OMB review

Nowhere in the city is this likely more true than the provincial riding of Ottawa Centre, whichhas seen more high-rises, controversialcondo developments and density increases than any other riding in the region.

• Ontario Municipal Board dismisses appeal over Zibi development
• Wellington West needs fewer storeys or more 'wow': OMB
• Lansdowne appeals go before municipal board

And Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi knows that. He even made reviewing the role and effectivenessof the OMB, which can overturn the decisions of elected city councils, one of his campaign promises in 2014.

Now that he's the province's attorney general, Naqvi appears to be making good on that promise.

Hispress release announcing the review of the OMB does not mince words: "MPPYasirNaqvifeels strongly that it is important that the residents of Ottawa Centre participate in the review process."

Ontario government wants to hear from youtwice

The Ontario government will release a consultation paper in the fall that will ask for comments, but in the meantime, it's looking for residents'views on the following topics:

• Jurisdiction and powers: What matters can be appealed and who may appeal them? How much deference should given to council decisions?
• Meaningful citizen participation and local perspective: How can the public more easily, and affordably, participate in this process?
• Hearing procedures and practices: This could include the formality of hearings, how expert evidence is heard and what evidence should be allowed at hearings.
• Alternative dispute resolution: Could other mediation processes be used to deal with planning issuesother than OMB hearings?
• Timely processes and clear, predictable decision-making.

You can send your thoughts on the OMB to the government atOMBReview@ontario.ca.