I oppose the Proposed…

I oppose the Proposed Amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act, Schedule 7 of the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 for the following reasons:

The proposed amendments would remove all protection for as-yet undiscovered districts and landscapes of historic and cultural significance if they happen to be in areas which, "in the opinion of the Lieutenant Governor in Council ... (a.k.a., the Premier of Ontario, cabinet and ministers) could potentially advance one or more of the following provincial priorities: Transit, Housing, Health and Long-Term Care, Other infrastructure, and Such Other Priorities as May Be Prescribed."

Yes, advancing these priorities are important to the people of Ontario. But the proposed amendments are problematic for several reasons:

1. The provincial priorities listed, especially "such other priorities as may be prescribed" is extremely open-ended and could lead to favouritism or cronyism – much like the Ford government nearly got away with in relation to development of the protected Greenbelt and which led to an RCMP investigation.

2. In 2002, Doug Ford is reported to have said "My relationship with the Indigenous leaders like yourselves {Chiefs of Ontario] and the communities you represent is incredibly, very important to me. As premier I’ve always strived to do my very, very best to work in true partnership with Indigenous and First Nations communities, because this kind of partnership has never been more important.” The proposed amendments undercut Ontario's acknowledged to "duly consult First Nations on decisions and actions that may adversely impact asserted or established Aboriginal or treaty rights." These proposed amendments are clearly at odds with Mr. Ford's statement, and would set Ontario back decades in Indigenous and economic reconciliation.

3. For every area that is identified for action as a provincial priority, it is impossible to know, in advance, if such an area is a place of historic and cultural significance, or if it actually contains Indigenous burial grounds or settlement areas – unless an archaeological assessment is done in advance, which is clearly not feasible.

Overall, these proposed amendments are yet another of the Ford government's tactics to remove all roadblocks to unfettered development – out of sight of the very Ontarians that Mr. Ford repeatedly and vigorously claims he is 'protecting.'

Attached is commentary from Environmental Defence on Schedule 7.