This ERO reduces consistency…

This ERO reduces consistency across jurisdictions and undercuts local municipalities and their power to implement environmental-related changes. Bill 60 would provide the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing with the ability to override the Provincial Planning Statement. This would counteract the stated goal of consistency across municipalities and would also allow the Minister to change previously approved decisions.

Municipalities deserve to retain local planning authority, and it is unfair for the Minister to override the previously approved policies that are specific to municipalities and based on years of city work and research. It takes the power away from cities to govern their own jurisdictions, and we need to retain that ability so that the changes made are specific to the communities they will be implemented in.