I am strongly opposed to the…

I am strongly opposed to the idea of permitting Municipalities to fast track development of businesses and avoid process that involve public consultation and assessments such as Environmental assessments. Good decision making and consultation takes time. Bill 66 is dangerous and doesn’t look ahead for future generations. It doesn’t support democracy. It doesn’t support sustainability or smart economic growth. It is a tool for corporations to bully their way into communities without ensuring public safety, assessing the environmental impact or social impacts. Job creation doesn’t have to be pitted against the people and environment. This tool does just that. The province has a responsibility to act on behalf of the people not corporations and lobbyists. Rushing through giving unweilding power to the munipalities to support corporations and ‘business’ prevents various stake holders from having a voice and does not represent the people of Ontario. No Ontarian I know wants to see a bulldozer in the green belt, wetlands or old growth forests. I don’t know anyone who would approve of a new factory on a river without public consultation and wanting a lot of assurances that it will comply with strict environmental regulations. There are lots of examples of past mistakes to guide us into the future and many examples of the importance of talking time consulting with environmental organizations and the public. We need to continue to have democratic process. Tools for blindsiding the public are a disgrace. No to Bill 66 and the ‘open for business’ planning tool!