The Association of Ontario…

The Association of Ontario Archaeologists (Ontario) is deeply concerned about many of the legislative changes proposed in several schedules of the “Unleashing Our Economy Act” (e.g. involving endangered species and regarding special economic zones), however, we will focus here on our area of professional expertise, namely Schedule 7. Our provincial government already has the tools to work with Ontario’s archaeological industry professionals to make reporting and approvals more streamlined. It is not necessary to amend the Ontario Heritage Act for this purpose. Information and posits from the Ontario Association of Professional Archaeologists are included in the attached letter, but please note that extensive stakeholder discussions are needed prior to legislative amendments rather than a short 30-day window for public comment.

In Bill 5, Schedule 7, the proposal to put in place powers to exempt projects from archaeological assessments completely contravenes the intent of the OHA and presents clear infringements on Indigenous Treaty Rights. This is not the way to modernize in a good way the development and reconciliation processes in Ontario.