I am VERY strongly opposed…

Comment

I am VERY strongly opposed to this proposed implementation of provisions in the Planning Act that provide the Minister enhanced authority to address certain matters as part of a zoning order. I feel that MZOs are being over-used and used (by this Conservative government in particular in a manner NOT envisioned or appropriate.

MZOs have traditionally been used by the provincial government in emergencies, or to quickly advance a major initiative of provincial significance (e.g. allowing a new grocery store to open in Elliott Lake when their only other one caved in, or launching the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan to help address water quality in the lake. Source: https://environmentaldefence.ca/2020/08/28/may-never-heard-ministers-zo….)

This current government has, in just over a year, issued more MZOs than the past government did during their entire 15 years in office. You cannot think the people of Ontario believe that these MZOs were all for emergencies or major initiatives. They are for developers and nothing more.

An MZO overrides other zoning by-law in the area, giving the government permission to enact sweeping changes to the land-use planning regime WITHOUT environmental, heritage or community consideration. It's already (in my opinion) being used inappropriately - the proposed changes make it even worse!

Please don't do this. Please stop pillaging our province's environemntally, culturally, and historically important sites for the sake of developers! RESPECT LOCAL PLANNING!

Thank you.