By Pepper Parr
March 2nd, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The genesis of the request from the developers to waive Development fees was at a February 12 Pipeline to Permit Committee meeting. (P to P )
That committee has a significant number of unelected people taking part on a regular basis.
One of those was Mick Collins Williams. CEO of the West End Home Builders Association (WEHBA)
His involvement at P to P was followed by a lengthy delegation to City Council, where a case was made for a deferment of Development Charges for a two year peiod.
Michael Collins Williams delegating at City Council with the President of the Molinao group seated behind him
That request was what took up the bulk of the full day Council meeting several days late at which Council made it very clear that they were not going to defer Development Charges unless it was certain that the province or the federal government would make the city whole for any financial losses.
Close to the close of the Council meeting today, Kearns gave Notice of a Motion that she will be bringing to Council, which is to propose that lobbyists cannot serve on committees that include unelected officials.
If this passes, Mick Collins Williams will be prevented from taking part in Pipeline to Permit meetings
During earlier Council meetings, Kearns asked Collins-Williams twice if he was a lobbyist, noting that his name was not on the Registry.
Collins Williams did not respond during the meeting.
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Yes great ideas by all. Start a committee to help improve the process of development in the city but make sure there are NO developers on it! Wow! Aren’t they the ones actually building the housing? I’m sure the committee will come up with fantastic ideas that will certainly make no sense to the industry. It’s like starting a committee to improve healthcare but excluding nurses and doctors.
Looking at the Pipeline to Permit Committee Members, there may be more than one undisclosed Lobbyist in this group, as there are other development type people listed in this group.
If so, they All need to be banned from this committee as well as any other committees that may be affected regarding building or development.!
Yes, show us what Councillor the developers have in their pockets.
Excellent idea.Suggest a review of all advisory committees to eliminate Lobbyists.Also publish a list of all donations made to candidates election campaigns as they occure.