Unbelievable! In order to …

Unbelievable! In order to financially “assist” developers, the water safety and security for millions of Ontarians will be put at risk! As stated:
“It is estimated that the proposed amendments may result in cost savings of $15,000 or more per project for proponents. Taking into consideration the current number of active Permits to Take Water for construction site dewatering, it is roughly estimated that the cost savings for the sector could be over $11 million.”

The Clean Water Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act were designed to manage and protect our shared water resources, ecosystems, and health. They include the regulatory requirement and approval process for extracting more than 50,000 litres per day in order to protect our water resources for the long-term and to ensure a safe sustainable water supply for all Ontario residents. The regulatory process also requires public consultation allowing communities to have a say in decisions that might impact them. The process also requires that local conservation authorities by notified of excessive water-taking in order to help facilitate the management of water resources including municipal infrastructure. Conservation Authorities have extensive knowledge of drought conditions, historic groundwater patterns and flood plains including flood risks.

This proposal to remove of the limit for groundwater-taking and to allow up to 379,000 litres of groundwater-taking per day without a permit, as well as restricting public consultation and removing the requirement to notify conservation authorities, puts the ecosystem, human health, and municipal infrastructure at risk – and for what reason? Apparently to make it more cost-efficient for developers who will also be allowed to self-register on the EASR. So really… how will “ Environmental standards and protections will remain in place and continue to be a top priority for the government”. ???