I am writing on behalf of…

I am writing on behalf of the Orillia Wetland Watchers, a grass-roots group of over 100 citizens in and around Orillia Ontario. We have grave concerns about proposed amendments to Schedules 9 and 1 of Bill 23, modifying the Planning Act. We support the removal of amendments that would:

1. Remove requirements regarding public meetings on certain planning matters.
2. Remove my right to appeal planning decisions (e.g., Official Plans, zoning by-laws, minor variances).
3. Remove the power of conservation authorities (CAs) to regulate or prohibit development that negatively impacts wetlands, rivers or streams.
4. Prohibit CAs from entering into agreements with municipalities to provide expert review of planning applications.
5. Limit CAs right to appeal land use planning decisions.
6. Require CAs to identify conservation authority owned or controlled lands that could support housing development.
7. Eliminate the role of seven regional municipalities (Simcoe, Durham, Halton, Peel, Niagara, Waterloo and York) in planning matters, thereby compromising coordinated efforts to protect farmland and natural areas, determine optimal locations for development and infrastructure, and efficiently deliver municipal services.

The amendments to which we are opposed are not needed to provide the needed housing and serve to benefit only developers; the changes will increase the economic burden of municipalities and therefore everyday taxpayers. The assessed implications of the proposed amendments fail to consider the long-term costs of the effects of climate change that will be unleashed on Ontarians as a result of the amendments that promote sprawl, and remove essential natural features that provide a multitude of essential services, including carbon storage, carbon sequestration, protection against flooding, clean and abundant water supply, and leisure, recreation features, and economic opportunities.