Supporting Enhanced Economic Growth Through Improved Land Use Planning

Supporting Enhanced Economic Growth through Improved Land Use Planning Changes the Government of Manitoba is making to Land Use Planning for Communities under For More Information: Bill 37 – The Planning Amendment For more information on the changes to and City of Winnipeg Charter Act. land use planning in Manitoba communities, visit the Quick Links section on the Manitoba Municipal Relations website at www.manitoba.ca/mr/ Regional Coordination to Creating a Culture that Embraces Appeal Process Ensures Attract Global Investment Development Opportunities Fairness “ The Winnipeg Metro Region is at a Well-planned development that aligns with Manitoba is introducing more fairness crossroads in its history as it seeks to regional and local policies and plans helps to into the planning system by applying best be more globally competitive, to attract create safe, healthy, vibrant and prosperous practices from other provinces to allow more investment into the region from communities for Manitobans. However, across applicants to appeal decisions to the within Canada and from foreign sources, Manitoba, development activities are subject Manitoba Municipal Board on a range and attempts to plan responsibly for to a patchwork of inconsistent, subjective, of planning matters. its future growth” lengthy and often arbitrary regulations or rules. Slow municipal approval processes can The right to appeal a local planning Dr. Robert Murray Report, decision to an independent appeal body For the Benefit of All. drive up the cost of development, which in turn reduces the supply of affordable housing. is the cornerstone of a fair and just system. The current situation with individual Currently, there is no mechanism in the municipalities operating separately is For every day that unnecessary planning City of Winnipeg to appeal planning no longer sustainable. Without greater and permitting delays can be reduced, decisions to an independent body and collaboration, municipalities are at risk the provincial GDP will grow by $17 million, appeal opportunities are limited across of affecting core services that residents the municipal tax base revenues will grow the province. rely on, such as long-term water supply by $400 thousand and provincial tax revenues will grow by $1.7 million. The Province is committed to ensure the and sewer services. It could also create Municipal Board has the tools and ability limitations on food security by converting Manitoba is creating province-wide service to manage conflicts that arise in planning prime agricultural land into urban standards (or timelines) on key planning from time to time in a fair and transparent developments and reduce a municipality’s applications and decisions. This means the manner. This includes a review of the ability to keep pace with other applicant will know ahead of applying for current Municipal Board structure with jurisdictions in an ever increasingly planning permission how long the process an objective of ensuring efficient competitive global economy. will take, regardless of where in the province consideration of all matters as well as Manitoba is mandating the City of Winnipeg they applied. Municipalities will also be training for Municipal Board members and the 17 surrounding municipalities that required to provide written reasons for and comprehensive information for make up the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region rejecting a planning application, providing municipalities, landowners and the public. (WMR) to prepare a regional plan that will greater transparency and accountability. outline the long-term vision of the region, Increasing transparency and timeliness of help protect important regional assets and the application processes will reduce red infrastructure and create a policy for growth tape and unnecessary delays to encourage to guide municipalities, developers and private investment and signal that all areas other economic factors. of Manitoba are open for business. .

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