Independent Appeal Function
The Municipal Board, as a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal independent of government direction, will improve the planning appeal process.
Theme Status Summary:
· Total Planned Actions: 6
· Completed: 0
· Underway: 3
· Upcoming: 3
· Future: 0
Municipal Board Modernization – Underway
Action: Using a phased approach, support The Municipal Board to take steps to modernize, including:
· by dedicating project management resources
· publishing decisions electronically
· enabling digital submissions and electronic correspondence
Underway – What’s New: In Spring 2025, the Department assigned a staff member with specialized project management experience to help support The Municipal Board. Working together with The Municipal Board, the Department’s dedicated staff member is mapping existing Board processes and developing a plan to improve the Board’s use of information technology.
Legislative Changes to Improve Planning Appeals – Underway
Action: Using a phased approach, make changes to legislation to improve planning appeals to The Municipal Board, including standardizing appeal processes and refining scope of planning appeals
Underway – What’s New: The Department is undertaking detailed research on how to structure planning appeal and referral hearings. Based on detailed research and stakeholder feedback, the Department is proposing further changes to improve planning appeals and referrals to The Municipal Board. The next phase of changes will be included in a Spring 2026 Bill.
Adopt Planning Appeal and Planning Referral Rules – Upcoming
Action: Support The Municipal Board to adopt updated Planning Appeal Rules and Planning Referral Rules including processes to conduct case management and dismiss appeals
Municipal Board Fee Structure – Upcoming
Action: Support The Municipal Board to review its fee structure and clarify guidelines for the assignment of costs
Public Objections in the Planning Process – Upcoming
Action: Clarify the role, scope and timing of public objections in the planning process
Municipal Board Staffing and Resource Needs – Underway
Action: Support The Municipal Board in its review of staffing requirements and resource needs to effectively manage planning appeals
Underway – What’s New: The Department is working with The Municipal Board to help them grow their capacity. In Fall 2025, The Municipal Board added a senior policy analyst to their staffing complement.
This webpage was written with the help of Microsoft Copilot.
