AMCTO Policy Blog


Legislative and policy updates from Ontario's largest municipal professional association.
Globe Editorial Calls for More Toll Roads
2016-03-17 4:23:43 PM

The Globe and Mail editorial board released a new editorial today  calling for Canadian jurisdictions at the provincial and municipal level to make better use of road tolls: Toronto is in an absurd position, and one shared by cities and provinces across Canada. If you ride pu...





Important Reminders for Deadstock Disposal
2016-03-14 5:18:44 PM

The Ministries of Agriculture and Food, Rural Affairs, and the Environment have developed a series of regulations governing the disposal of deadstock in Ontario. The government is encouraging farmers and other relevant stakeholders to familiarize themselves with these regulati...





2014 Air Quality Report Released
2016-03-14 2:40:24 PM

Last week the government of Ontario released the 2014 Air Quality Report, which reported significant decreases in smog-causing pollutants. According to the report, there were no smog advisories in 2014 and the province's air was rated either very good or good 94 per cent of th...





Ontario Releases Updated Housing Strategy
2016-03-14 1:42:24 PM

Today the province has released its updated Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy (LTAHS). While many of the specific commitments made as part of the strategy were previously unveiled in the 2016 Ontario Budget , the updated LTAHS includes a range of legislative, policy and r...





Can ride-sharing improve transit budgets?
2016-03-10 7:13:53 PM

A new paper, published this week by the Brookings Institute, examines how transit agencies can harness the power of ride-sharing companies, like Uber and Lyft to collaborate in providing transit services. According to the paper, this potential collaborate could result in bette...





Committee Told to Expand Coverage of PTSD Bill
2016-03-10 2:52:39 PM

At its hearings this week on Bill 163 (PTSD Bill), the Standing Committee on Social Policy heard from a number of witnesses that the current legislation excludes job categories that should be covered. Amongst other things, BIll 163 would make post-traumatic stress disorder (PT...





Government Releases PLT Consultation Summary
2016-03-08 6:14:50 PM

The government has released an overview of the 'Open Houses' it conducted in the late summer and fall of 2015 across northern Ontario to discuss the Provincial Land Tax (PLT). The summary identifies some of the common issues and concerns raised by property owners in unincorpor...





Alberta Municipal Association Calling for an End to Corporate/Union Donations
2016-03-08 1:59:46 PM

The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) has made a request for the province to change its Local Authorities Election Act to ban campaign contributions from corporate and union donors. Big city mayors in Alberta, including Don Iveson (Edmonton) and Naheed Nenshi (...





RCCAO Calling for a Canadian Infrastructure Bank
2016-03-07 1:54:39 PM

Last month the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) released a report, authored by University of Toronto professor Matti Siemiatycki, calling on the federal government to examine the possibility of creating a Canadian Infrastructure Bank. Key findings...





Bill 73 Regulations Released
2016-03-02 4:08:57 PM

The province has released a series of regulatory proposals as part of Bill 73, the  Smart Growth for Our Communities Act.  These regulations include: Adding a requirement to the official record that is sent to the OMB following an appeal of a minor variance Revising ...





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