News Release

TORONTO - Attorney General Michael Bryant today announced the appointment of Marie Hubbard as the interim chair of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and the Assessment Review Board (ARB) effective November 15, 2003. Hubbard replaces David Johnson, whose three-year term as chair expired today.

Appointed to the OMB in December 1997 and most recently serving as vice-chair of the OMB and ARB, Hubbard has agreed to be the interim chair of both boards until a new chair is selected.

"I want to thank Mr. Johnson for the years he has dedicated to public service," said Bryant. "I also wish to thank Ms. Hubbard for agreeing to serve as interim chair. I have every confidence in her ability to lead the boards during this period of transition."

Hubbard, who resides in Newcastle, Ontario, has an extensive history of community service in Durham Region. She was a councillor for the town of Newcastle from 1980 to 1982, regional councillor for Durham from 1982 to 1992, and mayor of Newcastle from 1989 to 1992. She has served on a number of boards, including the Durham District Health Council, the Durham Children's Aid Society, the Durham Non-Profit Housing Corporation, the Newcastle Public Utilities Commission and the board of the Bowmanville Museum.

The Ontario Municipal Board is an independent administrative tribunal that hears applications and appeals on municipal and land-use planning matters. It conducts hearings throughout the province on a variety of issues, including official municipal plans, zoning by-laws, subdivision plans, consents and minor variances, development charges and ward boundaries. The Assessment Review Board hears and determines property assessment complaints. Both boards report to the Attorney General.

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