The Environmental Bill of…

The Environmental Bill of Rights is an important mechanism that allows the public and experts to provide input to inform decision makers about environmental issues. Ontario Place is of significant importance to Ontarians and there is natural spaces that are valued within Ontario Place. Public participation could flag issues which governments have ignored and makes it easier to have a social license. Public participation doesn't stop projects. They can result in better outcomes for a project and the environment compared to no action. Without public participation there is a greater risk of protests and disruptions as well as environmental and social harm. In addition, the projects that fall outside of Ontario Place could be anywhere in Ontario which is too broad. Section 14 of the Environemntal Bill of Rights says

"In determining, under section 15 or 16, whether a proposal for a policy, Act or regulation could, if implemented, have a significant effect on the environment, a minister shall consider the following factors:

1. The extent and nature of the measures that might be required to mitigate or prevent any harm to the environment that could result from a decision whether or not to implement the proposal.

2. The geographic extent, whether local, regional or provincial, of any harm to the environment that could result from a decision whether or not to implement the proposal.

3. The nature of the private and public interests, including governmental interests, involved in the decision whether or not to implement the proposal.

4. Any other matter that the minister considers relevant."

I believe that the geographic extent of potential harm to the environment is undefined and it is unknown what other projects may be proposed regarding this proposal. In addition, to this natural spaces are under threat and should be preserved where possible in order to reduce or mitigate the impacts of climate change and habitat loss. It is not clear what other projects will be proposed.