I am writing to object in…

I am writing to object in the strongest possible way to the proposed exemptions from the Environmental Bill of Rights that will remove the right of Ontarians to be advised of, or to comment on, any required permits at Ontario Place, on or off site, to support the project.

This is a stripping away of environmental protections now and for generations to come, and must not be permitted. We have already seen the immediate havoc created by the destruction of Ontario Place and the displaced wildlife left roaming the streets of Toronto. This does not even take into consideration the negative effects of destroying hundreds of trees at a time when the government should be doing all it can to mitigate warming temperatures and flooding risks. If he government steamrolls its way through developments with no regard for environmental impact, who will account for the long-term effects on our environment and the well-being of our community?

The Environmental Bill of Rights exists for a reason. Requesting an exemption is a tacit admission that the environment is of no concern to the government, and will not protected in any way that hinders potential profits for developers and foreign investors.

The proposal is not in the public interest, compromises the future of this critical waterfront site and serves only to benefit the private interests of foreign companies. Instead it represents one more compromise in environmental protection, and citizen's rights to be informed, at a time when Ontario along with the rest of the planet is facing a climate and biodiversity crisis.