I am concerned to see Bill…

I am concerned to see Bill 17 has passed in the legislature, and I am asking the Ontario Government to please allow local municipalities to demand developers meet the Green Development Standards (GDS) through proper reports/studies, to reassure citizens that our environment is being considered and protected. It is an issue of health and safety as municipalities grapple with timelines for new development, affordable development, and development that respects the surrounding ecology.
GDS reduce red tape and standardize planning processes resulting in long-term predictability that housing developers need.
The Canadian Home Builder's Association cites studies which reveal cities with a GDS have made progress in accelerating approval timelines, whereas cities without GDS have seen slower timelines for approval.
GDS streamline pre-existing sustainability-related planning requirements into a single document with clear expectations. The province must respect municipalities' as outlined in the Planning Act and the Provincial Planning Statement. Our communities deserve to be protected by these standards to ensure public health and safety, economic wellbeing and to promote sustainable development.

Please allow the municipalities to maintain their authority in asking for timely and relevant reports that ensure developers deliver on health, safety, resilience and long term affordability for Ontario citizens.