I strongly oppose Bill ERO…

I strongly oppose Bill ERO 025-0380, as it does the opposite of what it is being proposed to do - it poses serious threats to the long-term environmental, social, and economic health of our province. This bill undermines existing environmental protections, reduces public oversight, and prioritizes short-term developmental interests over the well-being of Ontario’s ecosystems and communities.

Weakening regulations around land use, water protection, or conservation efforts will lead to irreversible damage to natural habitats, increased pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Such consequences not only threaten our quality of life but also impose significant future costs on taxpayers. We must prioritize sustainable development that balances economic growth with ecological integrity and community consultation.

We’ve seen the consequences of such policies in other parts of the world — and the damage is clear. For example:

In Brazil, the rollback of environmental protections led to a massive surge in deforestation in the Amazon, worsening climate change and destroying Indigenous communities’ land.

In the USA, the weakening of wetlands and floodplain protections in New Orleans contributed to the catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Katrina. Similarly, in the UK, relaxed planning laws led to unsustainable development that has overwhelmed local infrastructure and reduced access to green space, contributing to poorer public health outcomes.

Ontario is not immune to these consequences. Weakening protections for wetlands, farmland, and conservation areas will increase the risk of flooding, reduce biodiversity, and harm our ability to adapt to climate change — all while reducing the voice of local communities in planning decisions.

We need smart, sustainable policies — not shortcuts that endanger our shared environment.

Learn from the mistakes of others. Protect our ecosystems, not your wallet.