OFA requested that the Development Charges Act be amended to provide a statutory exemption to farm buildings/structures from all development charges. OFA’s position on Development Charges is based on the principle that “development should pay for the cost of development”. Similarly, OFA recognizes the need for Community Benefit charges to help municipalities recover development related costs that are not captured by Development Charges. Given that Community Benefits charges, much like Development Charges are intended to cover the capital costs associated with development and that farm buildings/structures do not contribute to such capital costs, OFA requested that farm buildings/structures be exempt from all Community Benefits charges.