Marie Hubbard will lead land tribunals, with goal to ‘make it faster to resolve land use planning disputes’
The Ontario government announced this month it is combining the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, Environmental Review Tribunal, Board of Negotiation, Conservation Review Board and Mining and Lands Tribunal via the Ontario Land Tribunals.
According to the June 17 announcement, existing or new cases will not be delayed as a result of the change, which aims to “make it faster to resolve land use planning disputes.” The government noted in its announcement that the backlog of Ontario Municipal Board “legacy cases” at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal has been reduced from 1,200 cases in June 2019 to 736 cases as of May 25, 2020.
“More efficient services at tribunals is a key element of our plan as they will drive innovation in the justice sector and move more services online,” said Attorney General Doug Downey in the announcement, which said the tribunals will have “dedicated support and resources.”
Marie Hubbard, who will act as executive chairperson of the Ontario Land Tribunals effective July 1, has previously dedicated efforts to decreasing the backlog at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, where she has served as associate chairperson since February.
