I oppose these proposed…

I oppose these proposed regulatory amendments for the following reasons:

1. The proposed process would essentially "rubber-stamp" extensions of water taking approvals 10 years at a time indefinitely. Parts of Ontario already experience water shortages in summer, precipitation patterns are changing with climate change and new needs for water takings (e. population growth) will increase demand. Water is precious, must be protected and conserved not squandered by water takings that remove water from the watershed.

2. The bottled water takings are a particularly bad use of scarce water resources- it removes water from the water shed forever, relies on plastic bottles which are used once and discarded causing the ever growing global problem of plastic waste.

3. Any water taker who finds it onerous to apply for licence renewals under the current regime is likely a marginal operator who may be "cutting corners" in their routine operations; why should such operators be rewarded with streamlined licence renewals?

4. The proposed changes also support government's drive to achieve internal efficiencies including reducing staffing levels. Isn't the main mandate of an environmental department to protects the environment and well-being of its population?