This Bill needs to be…

This Bill needs to be seriously reviewed before it moves forward. It was not apart of the Ford governments plan for re-election, and has not received adequate support by the people of Ontario.

I believe this Bill undermines democracy by "removing requirements for public meetings on certain planning matters. It would also remove people’s right to appeal planning decisions (e.g., Official Plans, zoning by-laws, minor variances). Community members and groups would be kept in the dark and no longer be able to participate in or challenge development decisions affecting their neighbourhoods or local farmland and natural areas."

In addition it would allow the Minister power to override municipal planning decisions, taking away agency for municipalities to decide how they want to develop. As well, the removal of power from conservation authorities to advise, consult and support environmentally sustainable development is ludicrous in a time of climate uncertainty. The sheer attack on the environment from this bill is troubling, and dangerous behaviour to engage in. We need wetlands and the greenbelt protected, even if you are only considering the human importance.

Lastly I do not think this bill will actually support creating more homes, I think it will support creating more affulent poorly planned homes. It takes taxes away from cities to support in the building of infastructure that supports housing communities. Instead this bill should be about building sustainable homes, in places that will not flood (wetlands), connected to already established roads and trails, and that can support a variety of economic situations (affordability).

Please, I implore you to repeal or heavily revise this bill, based on the feeling of the province. Make this a more democratic decision. I care about Ontario's future and this Bill does not.