This is a submission…

This is a submission regarding elements of Ontario Bill 5 – “Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025”, posting of April 17, 2025. The Friends of the Tay Watershed Association have concerns with changes proposed in the Bill, including in:
- Schedule 9 – Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 (ERO# 025-0391) and,
- Schedule 10 - Proposed Changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and a Proposal for the Species Conservation Act, 2025 (ERO# 025-0380)

In the opinion of this association, these actions could hazard aspects of sustainable environmental management of rural areas and, also, protection of species at risk. They are also inconsistent, in the first case, with the stated Role of Provincial Planning Statement (Page 2) and, in the second, with Section 4.1 (Protection of natural heritage systems) of Provincial Planning Statement, 2024. The attachment to this provides explanation.

The Friends of the Tay Watershed Association is an incorporated not-for-profit organization that has supported programs for 25 years in the 95km long Tay watershed, in cooperation with government, community and environmental agencies, for the protection and enhancement of water and related natural resources, for the present and future needs of the community. The watershed crosses seven municipalities and three Counties (Lanark, Frontenac and Leeds Grenville).