I have major concerns with…

I have major concerns with Bill 5 as currently proposed. I understand the desire to remove red tape and speed up development, especially with pressing economic concerns. I'm in favor of streamlining unnecessary bureaucracy.

However, I'm extremely worried about making environmental protection, and specifically protection of endangered species, at the discretion of government rather than based on scientific assessment. Environmental protection is absolutely not "red tape." This is a critically important safeguard that we can't sacrifice, as the short-term gains of economic development should not lead us to destroy our natural wealth. Once we lose species or protected lands, we can never recover them.

Specifically in my riding of Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte, I have concerns about how Bill 5 could impact the Lake Simcoe watershed, and rare species found in our region. The proposed expansion and development of industrial land around Barrie particularly concerns me, as I fear that important environmental assessments will be skipped or weakened in the rush to develop.

I believe we can keep the existing Endangered Species Act while also encouraging responsible development. The two are not mutually exclusive. In fact, Ontario's natural beauty and environmental health are economic assets for tourism and quality of life. I urge you to reconsider this approach, and to modify the bill to find a middle ground that protects Ontario's economy in the medium-term while also protecting Ontario's natural wealth and heritage for the long-term.

Thank you for your time and consideration.