I am writing to object in…

I am writing to object in the strongest possible way to the proposed exemptions from the Environmental Bill of Rights that will remove the right of Ontarians to be advised of, or to comment on, any required permits at Ontario Place, on or off site, to support the project.

The Environmental Bill of Rights exists to ensure that Ontario's environment in all its forms is protected for future generations. As this applies to Ontario Place, thousands of Ontarians have spoken out about their concerns related to protection of this fragile waterfront ecosystem. They have provided well-informed, intelligent commentary along with realistic and reasonable alternatives to the governments current plans. This move not only deprives citizens of their rights but the government of valuable community knowledge.

The proposal is not in the public interest, compromises the future of this critical waterfront site and serves only to benefit the private interests of foreign companies. Instead it represents one more compromise in environmental protection, and citizen's rights to be informed, at a time when Ontario along with the rest of the planet is facing a climate and biodiversity crisis.

I am commenting on the proposed amendments to the Rebuilding Ontario Place Act, 2023.
I am opposed to Schedule 8 of the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, exempting every project tied to the Ontario Place redevelopment (and any enterprise or activity that furthers the Ontario Place Redevelopment Project that is not at the Ontario Place site) from Part Il of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993.
Part Il of the Environmental Bill of Rights specifically outlines "minimum levels of public participation that must be met before the Government of Ontario makes decisions on certain kinds of environmentally significant proposals for policies, Acts, regulations and instruments." Schedule 8 will completely eliminate public participation, as well as eliminating informing the public about environmentally significant activities specifically with regard to Ontario Place.
This proposed amendment is to benefit private sector initiatives, and it is not in the public interest nor the interest of our environment. I am calling on the Government of Ontario to remove Schedule 8 of the new Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025.