I am writing to oppose Bill…

I am writing to oppose Bill 23 for the following reasons:

1. Guts the role and authority of Conservation Authorities: This legislation repeals no fewer than 36 regulations that give Conservation Authorities oversight over development which were designed to protect Ontarians from catastrophic floods as well as protect vulnerable water resources throughout the Province, not the least of which are wetlands heretofore designated as "Provincially Significant". In a time of climate change pressures, it is absolutely irresponsible to lessen any protections that currently apply to these resources including those falling within the purview of the CA's.

2. Overrides the authority of local Councils: The heavy-handed autocracy favoured by your government is egregiously demonstrated in overruling decisions taken by the cities of Hamilton and Halton Hills to freeze urban boundaries as a strategy to combat urban sprawl, encourage more appropriate housing development, and preserve our diminishing inventory of Ontario's best farmland. Your government is ignoring the potential impact on food production arising from climate change exacerbated by the loss of farmland, and the efforts of local authorities to implement sustainable development practices.

3. Assaults our Democratic rights and processes: Bill 23 prevents citizens from appealing planning decisions by local municipalities, for example and notably, to rezone land for aggregate extraction by recourse to the OLT as has heretofore been the case. Aggregate companies, on the other hand, continue to have the right of appeal should municipal decisions deny rezoning. It is fundamentally undemocratic to provide appeal rights to developers and aggregate companies, who may not even be residents and in the latter case are more than likely huge international conglomerates, while denying taxpayers and residents the same right of appeal. Democratic principles seem to be under attack on a global level, and it is alarming to observe your government's agenda being played out in this legislation.

4. Assault on the Provincial Greenbelt: in spite of the Premier's and Minister Clark's promises to the contrary, our suspicion of your government's plans to open up the Greenbelt to development are being borne out in Bill 23. Cutting and pasting parcels of land to make way for these incursions will undermine the integrity of the Greenbelt. Experts decry your government's move in this direction because of the water resources, wildlife habitat and diversity, protection of species at risk, and value of these natural assets being jeopardized when the real beneficiaries are the developers who stand to reap unthinkable profits thanks to your government.

I understand and support the need to build more homes in Ontario but in view of critical competing priorities, we need the right kind of housing in the right places. When we pave over nature with highways and subdivisions, we create more climate pollution, wildlife loss, and flood damage. When we erode the Greenbelt it is at the cost of the legacy that belongs to future generations. And when our democracy is constrained, the very essence of Canada and Ontario is being destroyed.