I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to changes to the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) that would undermine protections for significant and at-risk wildlife and habitats and fast-track development at nature’s expense. Specifically, I request the following:

• Remove section 2.5.2.2 which would allow aggregates extraction to trump protections for significant wetlands, woodlands and wildlife (including species at risk) habitat.

• Retain existing requirements for compact development, efficient use of infrastructure and policies to achieve intensification and redevelopment targets (sections 1.1.3.6, 1.1.3.7 a and b, and 1.6.7.2).

Any amendments to the PPS must be evaluated against the urgent need to respond effectively to climate change and biodiversity loss, two of the greatest challenges of our time.

Changes to the PPS to favour the aggregate industry over the interests of all Ontarians are unnecessary and self serving. We don't need them, there is enough supply of aggregate for our needs now.