I absolutely DO NOT SUPPORT…

I absolutely DO NOT SUPPORT Bill 108 in its current form.

It will place too much decision-making power in the hands of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunals (LPATs) - unelected, likely appointed for political reasons and not answerable by any democratic process to the people living where the decision about their community is being made.

This will be a disaster for properties of heritage and historic value along with the environment, endangered species and for the character that makes our cities and countryside livable because there is no requirement that appointees to the LPATs have any expertise or knowledge of heritage preservation, of wise city planning or environmental preservation.

So why should preservation of the built and natural heritage protected by the Ontario Heritage Act along with preservation of the environment and endangered species matter to this government? Built and natural heritage properties help define the character and enhance the quality of life in cities and towns and hamlets. Bill 108 as it stands, gives a totally free hand to developers to make money no matter what is destroyed in the process.

If, however, this process destroys urban heritage and character and degrades the countryside and environment this will be the result: as cities and towns become nothing but miles of high rises and strip malls with neither history nor character to create pride in their citizens nor a sense of place or attachment to that place these soul destroying surroundings will lead to more urban decay - everything from simple acts like littering or failing to keep up other properties all the way up to violent behaviour.

Let me put this in economic terms.

Urban character, heritage and vibrancy and rural heritage and natural beauty enhances the health and well being of Ontario residents and attracts tourists. These changes will lead to the loss of both and directly to lost tourist revenue and increased costs for health care, mental health care and policing. THIS WILL COST THE ONTARIO ECONOMY AND ONTARIO TAXPAYERS MILLIONS of dollars.

I consider myself a small "c" conservative - handle money and allocate it wisely for present use and long term results and conserve the gifts we have been given by God and by those who came before us - people who worked hard to make this a happier, healthier place to live.

If you care at all about this Province and really are for ALL, not just SOME, of the people you will withdraw Bill 108 and take a reasonable amount of time to do some serious consultation.

If not, you will prove that you just care about letting developers make more money, not about Ontario and its citizens.

In that case, let me say this - where do you think those developers will go after they have "strip-mined" (it's a metaphor) the economy of this Province? They will be living and spending their money somewhere where people have cared enough to preserve their heritage, their culture, their environment and the quality of life in their cities. They won't be hanging around here contributing long term to our prosperity. But maybe you don't care about that. In that case, please don't expect to be re-elected!