I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed Bill 5: Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act (ERO# 025-0391). This bill is problematic on many levels: it will allow development and industrial activity in areas without consulting local Indigenous communities, in violation of their rights as set out by the federal government and various treaties in force, as well as not consult conservation authorities pertinent to an area; it has the strong potential to adversely affect habitats of endangered and at-risk species of animals and vegetation; there is the potential to allow mining, other industries (such as logging) and other development that could poison the land and water during "accidents" in which toxic chemicals could be released or seep from so-called "catchment facilities" (as has happened periodically across Canada), which may be impossible to remediate; and it would permit the violation of land currently set aside as parks, thus destroying environments in which human visitors can enjoy Nature to appreciate the famous beauty of Ontario's rural and woodland regions – an existing source of revenue for the Province. I have had the privilege to live in and/or play in forested areas away from urban blight all my life and certainly can envision the high price Ontarians of all walks of life and tourists would pay if such places are destroyed by development of any kind. We can't afford to lose more rural spaces. Passing Bill 5 would NOT be worth the adverse effects! This world of ours is dying slowly (and not so slowly in some places) due to the destruction of Nature; we should not do anything that will hasten that process. As a lifelong citizen of Ontario and a voter in elections over several decades, I strongly object to this proposed bill! The Conservative Party of Ontario certainly will never get my vote again if Bill 5 is passed.