Dear Premier Ford, I…

Dear Premier Ford,

I strongly urge you to reconsider Bill 17.

Bill 17 would negatively impact municipalities’ ability to implement Green Development Standards (GDS), limiting their capacity to ensure that new development is built quickly, is energy-efficient, weather-proof, and affordable over the long term.
I strongly urge you to allow municipalities to continue requiring and using all reports/studies needed to meet their GDS as they are using GDS to improve health and safety in new homes, lower the energy bills of residents, reduce infrastructure costs, prevent municipal property taxes from increasing, lower demand on our energy systems, and cut emissions.

Please maintain municipal authorities, including the ability to require necessary reports, to ensure that new development delivers on health, safety, resiliency, and long-term affordability for all Ontarians while reducing red tape.

Thank you for your time.