I am strongly against this…

I am strongly against this proposed amendment. Not only does it ignore addressed concerns in UNDRIP, but it creates an environment where proponents will be in a position to request exemption from archaeological assessment form seemingly every development project in Ontario under the proposed exemptions.

Archaeology as it stands is destructive by nature, where excavation must occur and the area cannot be avoided history is taken out of the ground and cannot be replaced. If we consider cultural resources to be a resource, it is a limited one and one increasingly impacted by developments. We as settlers in Ontario have an obligation to ensure that these resources are managed and protected appropriately, in conjunction with Indigenous peoples thought this province and country. This proposal flies directly in the face of that and will only lead to worsening relations within the field of cultural resource management and archaeology

I understand wanting a response to the U.S. tariffs, but this isn't it. This plays directly into the hands of Premier Ford and his developer buddies and that is very much how this reads. I'm convinced this has less to do with making life better for people living in Ontario than it does benefit proponents and developers. Even the title of the proposed changes reads like a Conservative ploy to play on people's emotions and concerns about the economy.

I cannot I'm good conscience support this Amendment and we should be instead focusing on fixing the many loopholes present in the Ontario Heritage Act instead. We need more oversight, collaboration ,and engagement between the government, indigenous representatives, and archaeologists - not less.