Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input to the proposed regulation specifying the circumstances under which the Minister may issue an order to prevent a conservation authority from making a permitting decision and make the permitting decision in the place of a conservation authority or may undertake a review of a conservation authority permitting decision.

As presented, the Minister's regulatory powers in this regard would extend to development activities which pertain to or support a development of specified provincial interest, including:
Housing (community, affordable and market-based)
Community services (health, long-term care, education, recreation socio-cultural, security and safety, environment)
Transportation infrastructure
Buildings that facilitate economic development or employment
Mixed use developments.

Given that the province faces a significant emergent and enduring requirement for the expansion of the electricity system (generation, transmission, distribution) to meet economic objectives, we strongly recommend that "energy and electricity infrastructure be added to the list of development activities to which the regulatory authority applies.

Paul Norris
President
Ontario Waterpower Association