We are particularly…

We are particularly concerned with the following:

• The lack of consultation with municipal governments and the public.

• The natural heritage policies that are not yet defined but there are indications that environmental considerations will be relaxed in favour of increasing the housing supply.

• The Minister will be allowed to make regulations and orders related to planning that have been the purview of local municipalities and we will be prohibited from making policies that are more restrictive.

• The amended rules for housing and development on rural lands are significant and will impede our ability to sustain our food system. The expansion of settlement areas into farmland (without a Municipal Comprehensive Review), allowing two additional residential units in addition to the principle residence in prime agricultural areas and the additional lots that can be severed will destroy the rural landscape and lead to urban sprawl.

• Removing the concept of “healthy, livable and safe communities”, and planning authorities no longer having to consider “avoiding development and land use patterns which may cause environmental or public health concerns” and “promoting development patterns that conserve biodiversity” in the proposed Statement give credence to the concern that this government cares more for developers and development than for the ordinary people.