The Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry is seeking power to over-rule conservation authority decisions on development permits.
The changes are posted on the government’s regulations website.
While it begins by saying the minister can over-rule a decision to grant a permit, it goes on to say the minister is required to satisfy the same criteria concerning natural hazards and public safety, such as the risk of flooding.
But in the final paragraph it would grant the minister unlimited power to make decisions on permit applications.
It says “The Minister may refuse the permit or issue a permit subject to such conditions as the Minister determines are appropriate.”
