I vehemently oppose proposed…

I vehemently oppose proposed changes to the Planning Act that would allow Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) to override protections for Ontario’s farmland and significant natural areas. It is a really bad idea to amend the Planning Act so that MZOs no longer have to be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement. The Provincial Policy Statement is the pinnacle of our land use planning framework. It is like what the Criminal Code is for Justice. Nobody should be "amending" it. Farmland and significant natural areas were afforded this type of protection because they are in need of it. This schedule 3 and the proposed amendments are a perfect example of the desperate need for effective protection. Farmland provides us food security and natural areas provide us ecosystem services. Our legacy and our democracy are effectively being eroded away by actions like this amendment.

I urge you to immediately remove Schedule 3 from Bill 257.