Please do not proceed with…

Please do not proceed with this proposed regulation. Conservation authorities are uniquely positioned to make decisions based on technically-sound and non-partisan data. They are the only entity involved in the planning process that takes a watershed approach to decision making with their extensive and updated modelling and mapping of flood and natural hazards. They also have on the ground knowledge of issues through their experts that have been involved with municipalities and the planning process for decades. In effect they are the most appropriate entity to be making determinations of the true impacts of a particular development, especially when it comes to flood and risk management.
The Ministry does not have this extensive knowledge and will be relying on the development industry and their consultants to make decisions. The development industry is appropriately driven to maximize profit, not to minimize risk to the public and potential damage to other property. Saving "proponents time and resources" is a noble goal, however doing it at the risk to the public and the environment is an irresponsible approach. It is better to engage non-partisan/non-commercial experts to help guide good decision making rather than further turning the planning process into a political process that is likely not going save time nor money in the long run.