I oppose the proposed…

I oppose the proposed changes to the Mining Act, 1990 to protect the strategic national mineral supply chain and to streamline the permitting process for designated mining projects. On the grounds that the proposed process may result in great harm to the environment, and establishes a broad Crown immunity clause for actions or inactions that cause this harm, I believe that this schedule should be withdrawn from Bill 5 and amended. The amendments must include total withdrawal of any proposal of Crown immunity, elimination of the option to refund fees if the proponent fails to meet standards; the Minister's powers to issue orders under the new subsection 26.1(1) should be subject to notice and hearing, the Minister should consider potential impacts to public health and safety, and the environment when making a decision whether to suspend some or all of the functions of the mining land administration system; Risk Assessments by the Ministry of the Solicitor General should be placed on the Environmental Registry of Ontario for public notice and comment; the purpose section of the Mining Act should include 1. a commitment to prevent impacts on public health and safety and the environment, rather than just minimizing them, 2. A commitment to ensure that mining sites are rehabilitated, and 3. that mining in Ontario should take place in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner.

I support proposed changes to the Electricity Act, 1998 and Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 that aim to limit direct foreign participation in the energy sector. My opposition includes American designed nuclear reactors that force us to depend on American provided fuel, gas plants that require us to buy American gas. This opposition does NOT include limiting the purchase of parts for renewable energy installations such as solar and wind-powered generators that will be run by Canadian companies. We need to move away from fossil fuels and from dependence on continued American imports. We have our own nuclear technology and our own fuel sources. This is what should be supported in Ontario.

I oppose any changes to any of the acts that limit Crown liability for actions or inactions that cause harm. We have the ability to ensure that harm is minimized, and the government must take the time and apply the resources to ensure that it is. If best efforts do result in some harm, the government then has evidence to prove they undertook best efforts.