This is an irresponsible…

This is an irresponsible move that will fundamentally endanger the future of Ontario's biodiversity and ecosystem. Allowing projects to progress without proper assessment and care for the future of our province's natural resources as an asset for health and wellbeing undermines all the conservation work done over the last 50 years.

It is a gift that today we regularly see bald eagles, turkey vultures, hawks and falcons soaring in our skies. Many wildlife species in Ontario have rebounded after decades of overhunting, pesticides and pollution.
Now the government wants to encourage further exploitation of natural resources, urban sprawl that is taking over precious farmland, and ignore Indigenous sovereignty and treaty rights. Falsely claiming to be solving issues such as the housing crisis or traffic congestion for the benefit of Ontarians, but instead the benefits of which are given to the Premier's friends and family through backroom deals. This is highly unethical.

Here's what should be done instead.
1. Before destroying natural habitats, we must first conduct thorough assessments of the negative outcomes to the original inhabitants (land, animals and people).
2. Proper consultations with Indigenous communities and the public should be done to obtain consent.
3. Developers are not experts in environmental protection, thus should not have the authority to proceed or implement half-baked measures to mitigate harm. There must be oversight from the appropriate government and environmental experts.
4. No special economic zones should be established; no areas or companies are above the law. These laws were implemented to preserve the transparency, accountability, and environmental stewardship of our natural lands.

The government must acknowledge that we are in a climate crisis and act in alignment to protect our natural areas as these sequester carbon and support diverse ecosystems instead of adding additional tonnes of CO2 emissions. This move harms both citizens of Ontario and numerous species of plants and animals and should ultimately be reversed.

Thank you.
Concerned Citizen, PhD in Health and Environment