I am strongly opposed to the…

I am strongly opposed to the proposed changes to the Planning Act to allow a Minister's Zoning Orders to be inconsistent with the Provincial Policy Statement.
The Provincial Policy Statement is the government's overarching policy that all land use decisions. It provides policy direction on mattes of provincial interest. The current policy statement came into effect in May 2020. The Policy Statement is the Policy of this current government. They reflect the goals and objectives of the Province including support strong communities, clean and healthy environment and economic vitality of the Province. They are the minimum standard as noted in the preamble of the current PPS. Why would a Ministers' Zoning Order need exemption from the Provincial Policy Statement? Is the Provincial Policy Statement fundamentally flawed so that it does not achieve the stated objectives of strong communities, clean and healthy environment and a strong economy?? Amend the PPS not the Planning Act.
IF it is demonstrated that Broadband projects must be approved that do not comply with the PPS (and this assumption has not been demonstrated to be necessary), then proposed changes to the Planning Act to allow Minster's Zoning Orders to not be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement should be limited to Minister's Zoning Orders for Broadband infrastructure ONLY. NO retroactive application to previous Minister's Zoning Orders should be included.
These proposed changes to the Planning Act appear to be nothing more than a devolution of the public democratic processes in place ensure all land use is well managed and to prevent adhoc decisions that have long term consequences to the citizens of Ontario. The proposed changes to the Planning Act DONOT ensure the decisions made are good planning nor would it ensure the public good is served.

If COVID has altered the Province's priorities in such significant way that the Provincial Policy Statement no longer reflects the fundamental principles of the people of Ontario and this government, amend the Provincial Policy Statement.