I am commenting on the…

I am commenting on the proposal for an interim combined sewer to support development at 955 Lake Shore Boulevard (Ontario Place).

I am opposed to the proposal which goes against decades of work by the City of Toronto to separate and replace combined sewers across the city to prevent the discharge of raw sewage into Lake Ontario. As a lifelong resident of Toronto, I have supported all efforts to restore our beautiful waterfront for use by all city residents. This proposal will reverse much of this work.

The proposal also flies in the face of international agreements to protect water quality and habitat in the Great Lakes. The effluent will severely impact the western city beaches. This will include Sunnyside all the way to the Humber River that are heavily used by west-end residents. Further, it will have a negative impact on animal species and their habitats. The impact on migrating birds and butterflies that regularly pass over areas such as High Park and the beaches south and west of it cannot be overstated. This proposal to benefit private sector initiatives, is not in the public interest and threatens the stability of the lake ecosystem in a time of severe biodiversity loss.

I urge you to deny this permit.