Government Relations

OAA President, Susan Speigel, writes to the Directors of Planning and Chief Building Officials in the province of Ontario regarding an important matter related to site plan control approval. 

Publish Date: 2021/JUL/19

This is the third edition of a series of reports commissioned by the Ontario Association of Architects to highlight the economic costs of a lengthy site plan approval process in Ontario. This report finds that the delay in in site plan approval costs the Ontario economy roughly $3.5 billion a year, up from an estimated $300-$900 million in 2018. 

Publish Date: 2024/DEC/19

Publish Date: 2019/MAR/12

In its role to regulate the practice of architecture to protect the public interest, the OAA has been monitoring the development of Bill 17 since its introduction on May 12, 2025. The Association has identified some welcome changes and also shares concerns that have been voiced by members of the profession, others in the design/construction community, and the wider public.

Among the many changes that the legislation brings about, the OAA is particularly interested in those changes related to complete application rules as well as the proposed updates to the Building Code Act. 

Publish Date: 2025/JUN/05

OAA President, Susan Speigel, writes to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly to confirm the Association's views on the proposed Bill 109, More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022.

Publish Date: 2022/APR/11

OAA President, Settimo Vilardi, writes to the Planning and Policy Branch at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to express its support for proposed amendments to Ontario Regulation 299/19 Additional Residential Units, made under the Planning Act. The Association believes that the proposed change would support the creation of more housing and advance housing affordability across Ontario. 

Publish Date: 2024/OCT/08

OAA President, Susan Speigel, writes to the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, in response to the consultation on changes to Minister's zoning orders and the Planning Act.

Publish Date: 2021/APR/06

OAA President, Settimo Vilardi, writes to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, to confirm the Association's support in principle for Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024.

Publish Date: 2024/MAY/10

OAA President, Susan Speigel, writes to the Hon. Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to express the urgent need for changes to congregate living facilities to protect the province's most vulnerable population - the elderly.

Publish Date: 2021/FEB/11