I do not support the…

I do not support the proposed exemption of property from any provisions under Part VI of the Ontario Heritage Act and its regulations.

Article 11 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), to which Canada is a signatory, states:

Indigenous peoples have the right to practice and revitalize their cultural traditions and customs. This includes the right to maintain, protect and develop the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures, such as archaeological and historical sites, artefacts, designs, ceremonies, technologies and visual and performing arts and literature.

This declaration has become the minimum standard against which many First Nations consider archaeological and heritage work. While Ontario has not adopted UNDRIP, its Provincial Planning Statement (PPS 2024) acknowledges treaty rights and directs planning authorities to engage early with Indigenous communities and ensure their interests are considered when identifying, protecting and managing archaeological resources, built heritage resources and cultural heritage landscapes. The proposed changes in Schedule 7 of Bill 5 will undermine the ability of planning authorities to uphold their obligation to engage with Indigenous communities by preemptively exempting property from Ontario Heritage Act requirements that would identify, protect and manage archaeological resources.

The PPS 2024 encourages planning authorities to develop and implement archaeological management plans (AMP) to conserve archaeological resources. Establishing the broad authority for exemption of property from archaeological requirements would undermine AMPs as effective tools for the identification and conservation of archaeological resources.

The government should not have board powers to grant exemptions to any section of the Ontario Heritage Act.