I am STRONGLY opposed to the…

I am STRONGLY opposed to the Premiere's Bill 5. First of all, the bill would repeal the Endangered Species Act, leaving in its place a shell that contains no meaningful rules for species protection. The Bill would also hand virtually unlimited power to the Provincial Cabinet, through the proposed Special Economic Zones Act. Let’s be clear: Bill 5 is a threat to Ontario’s land, wildlife, and democracy."

Secondly, hidden within this bill is Schedule 8, exempting every project tied to the Ontario Place redevelopment from Part II of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993.

Part II 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.

Thirdly, the Ford government’s application to cut an existing combined sewer overflow (CSO) that will be in the way of Therme’s planned beach. The application has the CSO emptying into the west channel inside the breakwater and potentially allowing raw sewage into an area used recreationally by rowers, paddlers, swimmers, and for water shows by the CNE. The Auditor General’s Report estimated the cost of moving the CSO to be approximately $60 million.

If this bill passes, it is not only a direct threat to sound environmental policy and use of public land, but it's a threat to democracy, as this whole process has been shrouded in smoke and mirrors, outright falsehoods, and violations a true democratic and transparent process. The only beneficiaries are Therme and other corporate interests because this would set a dangerous precedent for foreign investor interests to supersede the voices, will and best interest of the people of Ontario.