Thank you for the…

Commentaire

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the changes enacted through Bill 197, the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020, that was passed on July 21, 2020.

As a Canadian citizen and resident of the Province of Ontario, I am very strongly opposed to the changes enacted under Bill 197, specifically with regard to the enhanced powers granted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to unilaterally remove municipal use of site plan control, require agreements between the municipality and development proponents concerning site plan matters, and make amendments to Minister’s Zoning Orders that use any of these enhanced authorities without first giving public notice or requiring public consultation.

The power to determine the best use of local lands must remain within the jurisdiction of Ontario municipalities.

The July 21, 2020 Amendment to Bill 197 must be rescinded.

This amendment does not serve the citizens of Ontario as a means to a Covid-19 recovery. Democracy is a bottom-up not top-down process. Democracy means "we, the people"; this I believe is the process in Ontario and Canada.