By Pepper Parr
July 23rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The dispute between Millcroft residents and Millcroft Golf course over what would/could be done with land that was still a golf course but threatened with development in the future was xxx.
The residents lost an attempt to stop the development at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). There were conditions attached to the OLT decision.
The residents were of the opinion that development couldn’t proceed until the conditions were met. The developer didn’t see it that way and moved in with equipment to cut down dozens of trees.
Trees were taken down with little in the way of notice to the residents.
When the residents asked for an MZO) (Ministerial Zoning Order) the Minister of Municipal Affairs instead directed the Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator (OPLDF) to step in and see if a solution could be found.
The Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator (OPLDF) was established in 2005 to help resolve cross-cutting planning and development issues arising out of implementation of provincial policies. Since then, the role of the office has grown to encompass a broader range of projects and requests for its services. The OPLDF is classified as an Advisory Agency under the Agencies and Appointment Directives who reports to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator provides services, including:
impartial mediation
facilitation
negotiation
These services help individuals, businesses and municipalities resolve issues about:
growth management
land use and infrastructure planning
environmental protection related to land and development
streamline approvals to support provincial surplus lands project to facilitate housing
The office will ensure they consider the following as part of the issues resolution:
Environmental objectives were seen as prime concerns for residents -but were ignored by the developer according to residents.
provincial land use policy
financial interests
environmental objectives
The facilitator may also act as a negotiator on behalf of the Government of Ontario on issues dealing with provincial:
land, assets, and interests.
Equipment to cut down trees arrived – unannounced.
How they prioritize requests
When the OPLDF receives a request for facilitation services, the office looks for at least one of the following criteria:
it relates to ongoing, large-scale land use, planning or development application
it relates to infrastructure or environmental issues that are overarching in nature and may cross municipal boundaries or watersheds
it falls under the mandate(s) of two or more provincial ministries or agencies
it involves the implementation of relevant provincial legislation, plans and policies
Given that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing directed the ODLPF to take on the case and that the following determine a time line:
nature and time constraints of the issue
interests of the various parties, including those of the province
any outstanding legal matters, including tribunal hearings or active litigation
one would think they would be high on the list of the cases they take on.
We will dig around a bit and learn more about just how the OPLPF goes about their work.
Given the oft-chirped interests of both the Province and the City in affordable housing, the best plan imo would be to clear-cut the entire golf course and build a series of 5 storey maisonette apartments, with soccer pitches and family picnic grounds at each end. Perhaps, even a splash pad.