Please top removing…

Please top removing protections for vital services and citizens in the name of 'red tape reduction.' It is scandalous and immoral that the government would consider removing initiatives introduced after the Walkerton scandal, which devastated lives.

The Walkerton inquiry found the incident could have been prevented if a local official had properly monitored drinking water treatments — and if the Progressive Conservative government of the time, under Mike Harris, had not cut funding to the provincial Environment Ministry. One solution that came out of the inquiry was to establish a series of regional plans to protect Ontario’s sources of drinking water. Providing money to municipalities to increase staff and services and speed up processes would be the ethical, responsible, thing to do. We have the funds, otherwise they should be taken from what's currently going to the highest paid legislature in Ontario history.

The government should be focused on making sure everyone has access to clean drinking water, not risking safety by changing rules around drinking water. Some communities in Ontario, like Six Nations of the Grand River, still do not have safe drinking water at all.

Ps there is nothing more ironic than having an entire ministry for 'red tape reduction.' An entire extra ministry does not reduce red tape.