An Ontario Municipal Act for BIAs
An Act in Three Parts

 
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a “made-in-Ontario” innovation that allows local businesspeople and commercial property owners and tenants to work together and, through Municipal By-Law and the Ontario Municipal Act, organize, finance, and carry out physical improvements while promoting economic development in their district.  BIAs are a unique private-public partnership that raises funds, by levy upon rateable property in the improvement area, unlike other Local Boards.
 
The special levy is used for the betterment of the community and provide specific benefit to:
  • Business Operators – improved atmosphere and ambience, whether they are retail, service, professional or property owner.
  • Employees and Employment – a supportive community to play, live and work in as well as an employment centre.
  • Property Owners – potential to increase property values and occupancy as well as attracting a tenant that adds to the business mosaic of the area.
  • Community – a more vibrant community, a more prosperous local economy, and a potential to increase residential property values, as many realtors advertise and value properties for sale within walking distance of the downtown/main street/BIA.
  • Municipality and Province – benefit from the partnership as BIAs continue to prove they are strong local economic engines, as it encourages entrepreneurship, innovation, and free enterprise.
  • Housing – many of our main streets have existing rental accommodations and second floor apartments.
 
The Ontario BIA Association has been advocating for changes to the Municipal Act for many years and determined, after a comprehensive review, that changes to the Municipal Act over the years have challenged BIAs and their Municipalities to work effectively.
Once you have had a chance to review the attached document, we welcome any comments, feedback or suggestions and your support in developing a stand-alone Act clarifying and enabling BIAs to invest in communities.
  1.  
  2. We invite you to:
    1. Seek a Resolution from your Council and/or Board
    2.  
    3. Send OBIAA a Letter of Support – OBIAA – Municipal Act for BIAs – Templated Letter of Support
    4.  
    5. Send your local MPP – OBIAA – Municipal Act for BIAs – Templated Letter of Support for MPP

Thank-you to the BIAs who have sent letters of support!


Bancroft BIA – Letter of Support

 

Downtown Brantford BIA Letter of Support

 

Grimsby Downtown BIA Letter of Support

 

Downtown Orangeville BIA – Letter to MPP

ComponentsSuggested Use
Add to Your BIA’s WebsiteEmail to Stakeholders (Members, MPPs & Municipality)Post on Social MediaPrintInclude in/Use to Build Your ReputationFor Your Reference
Background Materials – please read
 Municipal Act for BIAs – Introduction
 OBIAA 2023-2024 BIA Municipal Act Consultation Report 
 History of BIAs
 OBIAA & BIA FAQs   
Logos, Videos and Graphics
 OBIAA Logo  
 What is a BIA Video    
Samples & Templates
 Municipal Act for BIAs – Letter of Support Template    
 Municipal Act for BIAs – Sample Resolution 
 Municipal Act for BIAs – Social Media Links & Content     
 Value of BIAs Presentation

For more information, please contact:

Kay Matthews
Executive Director | OBIAA
[email protected]
905-271-7222

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