This Bill is not reflecting…

This Bill is not reflecting the mandate Ontarians gave their Government. A strong economy at the cost of our air quality, and biodiversity will have a terrible immediate and long term impact on the quality of our life. Habitat destruction and industry self-regulating may seem like a way to boost the economy but it just reflects a lack of actual plans and a very superficial understanding of how habitat destruction and "economy above biodiversity" will impact the future of this Province. Habitat destruction is the main reason for losing biodiversity. Reduced biodiversity leads to unhealthy ecosystems. Simply put, unhealthy ecosystems have a direct impact on the air we breathe and the food we eat. The binary view of "it's either the economy or the environment" is archaic and shameful for a Government in a developed country in 2025. We can protect the environment and biodiversity without burdening the economy. The economy and the industry can be encouraged and helped by governments to operate in an environmentally responsible way. It's no different than investing in education or health care. The price we'll pay down the road for habitat and ecosystem destruction will be much higher than what we can invest now to ensure "economic growth at all costs" is not our plan. Yes, permits should not take 4 years, yes, the cost of the permits should be lower, but that should be achieved by the government passing better legislation (not repealing it), hiring more experts and more qualified experts so the permits, licenses, etc. don't take 4 years. The lack of basic understanding of the complexities of return on investments and that without a healthy environment we have no economy is extremely disappointing. I believe the government has good intentions but bad advisors and ill prepared experts. Unfortunately we live in an era where the consultations are just an administrative exercise, the scientists and experts' concerns are brushed off as the bulldozers keep moving...