I am writing to register my…

I am writing to register my objection to proposed Bill 5. The government positions it as a "time saver" for developers with the implication that this will get necessary things like housing, LTC homes, and transit built faster. However, there is a reason environmental and archeological assessment take time and are necessary. Without these protections in place the government and developers can ride roughshod over the rights of Indigenous peoples, municipalities, and citizens of Ontario. By removing the need for archeological assessment, heritage and history, particularly of the first peoples who lived on this land, will be destroyed. Furthermore, it will set back reconciliation work with the Indigenous peoples of this province. By repealing the Endangered Species Act, it will put species at risk by removing environmental protections and allowing the destruction of habitat. It also has the potential to risk the health and safety of human beings both now and in the future by creating "Special Economic Zones" where provincial and municipal regulations do not have to be followed. We need to have checks and balances in place to protect our environment, our health, and our heritage.