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Canadian Urbanism Uncovered

The other side of the OMB

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In the Toronto Star today, Christopher Hume writes about the other side of the OMB — when they make decisions that are actually good for Toronto, such as the development of Two Roxborough at Yonge and Roxborough. Hume writes:

Clearly, the board, that much-maligned quasi-judicial body that has final say on development in this province, has done a few things right, even by the city’s account. Over and over, people have complained that the OMB is “undemocratic” and its members unelected. That, of course, is exactly the point. That’s why it can make the decisions it does. In theory, at least, it is above the fray and apolitical. It deals with facts, not emotions…. Toronto has benefited enormously from some OMB decisions — decisions that Toronto city councillors and their planners were unable or unwilling to make.

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