A developer’s decision to appeal to the OLT cand be the result of their decision to end engagement in the planning process with the City, or to appeal a City decision. In either case,  the file has been elevated to the Provincial level and City Councillors no longer have any say in the outcome. The file becomes a legal matter handled only by City lawyers at the Provincial Tribunal. 

 

However, the Ward 12 office strongly encourages residents to make your voice heard at the Provincial Tribunal by applying for “Participant Status” at the OLT which allows you to:

• send the Tribunal a written submission with your concerns

• watch the virtual hearings (similar to a zoom meeting),

• be added to the Tribunal’s mailing list for updates and decisions

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Instructions to participate are below

Click the drop down menus above to find details you will need for the case you want to follow.

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Participant Status does not allow you to take part in or speak at OLT meetings. Only the lawyers who have Party Status are permitted to speak. In the past, citizens could apply for Party Status but through the Province’s recently passed Bill 185 “Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024” the Ford government has removed third party appeal rights meaning citizens no longer have a say.

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OLT meetings are all online and there are two types:

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1. Case Management Conferences (CMCs) are the administrative meetings that precede the actual Merit Hearing. To become a Participant you will generally be expected to attend the first CMC where the OLT member will, likely, grant you Participant status. As a Participant at the CMC your camera and mic will be off and use of the chat is not permitted or you will be removed from the proceeding.

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2. Merit Hearings are the actual trials where legal teams argue their case before an adjudicator who will ultimately make a decision. Merit Hearings can last from 1 day to several weeks in length. ​

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Instructions to request Participant Status and submit comments via the Participant Status Request Form

• Find and fill out the form HERE

• Fill in the OLT Case file number

• Fill in the date of first CMC 

• Fill in your name and email

• Representative: leave blank

• Type your statement in the box on the form. 

• Save your completed participant request by using the ‘save’ button on the form page. It will save to the 'downloads' folder on your computer

• Write an email to the Case Manager asking to be granted Participant Status for this case and include the OLT case number and address of the disputed property in the subject line.

• Attach your completed Participant Request Form to your email

• Send your email and the attached Participant Request form to the contacts listed

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Historical context

In May 2024, before the passing of Bill 185 in June 2024, the Province heard delegations from interested parties to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs at Queen’s Park, and I moved a motion that the City’s Acting General Manager of Planning and Economic Development, Steve Robichaud, appear before the committee and outline the City’s concerns with the proposed Bill 185. You can watch Acting GM Robichaud’s presentation at this link.

 

The City had/has several major concerns with Bill 185, and one was the Government’s intention to remove third party appeals. However, the Province proceeded with the removal of third party appeal rights meaning citizens may only send a written submission to the Tribunal outlining their concerns. Nevertheless, you are encouraged to do so by filling out a Participant Status Request and Statement Form and sending it to OLT case manager on File. 

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You can find the form HERE