I write to urge you to…

I write to urge you to support much-needed amendments to Bill 23.

Bill 23, in its current form, will decimate environmental protection for our vital wetlands, woodlands and other green spaces, and undermine several municipalities’ net-zero and green development standards. This is unacceptable at any time, let alone during the climate crisis we're now in.

Green development standards are essential in order to reduce emissions from buildings (which are one of the top two sources of emissions), and allow conservation authorities to continue to conduct crucial environmental assessments that help to protect our environmentally significant spaces and the wildlife that depends on them.

The Ontario government claims the bill will expedite construction of 1.5 million new homes in less than a decade. In truth, it will drive sprawl and threaten municipalities’ ability to provide essential services. And, as we both know, it certainly won't make homes more affordable. Bill 23 is a threat to the very people you are meant to represent and protect. Canadians need affordable, climate-friendly communities, not more sprawl.

I am profoundly disturbed by the fact that the Ontario government is failing to protect Ontarians, the communities in which we live, and the environment we Canadians hold dear. So I ask you to take a stand and support the amendments to Bill 23 listed below. Your stance on this matter will be remembered come the next election.

Sincerely,
Taxpayer

Requested amendments to Bill 23:

In Schedule 1,

REPLACE "(2) Subparagraph 2 iv of subsection 114 (5) of the Act is repealed" WITH "Subparagraph 2 iv of subsection 114 (5) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted: matters relating to sustainable design, if an official plan and a by-law passed under subsection (2) that both contain provisions relating to such matters are in effect in the City."

REMOVE "(3) Subsection 114 (6) of the Act is amended by adding the following paragraph: 1.1 Exterior design, expect to the extent that it is a matter relating to exterior access to a building that will contain affordable housing units or to any part of such a building."

In Schedule 9,

REPLACE "(2) Subparagraph 2 (d) of subsection 41 (4) of the Act is repealed" WITH "Subparagraph 2 (d) of subsection 41 (4) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted: matters relating to sustainable design, if an official plan and a by-law passed under subsection (2) that both contain provisions relating to such matters are in effect in the municipality."

In Schedule 2,

REMOVE (2) Section 21.1.1 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection: (1.1) An authority shall not provide under subsection (1), within its area of jurisdiction, a municipal program or service related to reviewing and commenting on a proposal, application or other matter made under a prescribed Act."

REMOVE "(2) Section 21.1.2 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection: (1.1) An authority shall not provide under subsection (1), within its area of jurisdiction, a program or service related to reviewing and commenting on a proposal, application or other matter made under a prescribed Act."