Rural Townships and their…

Rural Townships and their villages are in critical need of business growth and related job creation so in general the Ontario Governments initiatives to attract and encourage business and create jobs in Ontario are laudable.
More specifically however with regards to the addition of Section 34.1 to the Planning Act. the proposal would exempt Municipal Open For Business Bylaws from the Provincial Growth Plan, the Clean Water Act, and the Provincial Policy Statement ...not to mention other legislation and regulations.
The proper monitoring, management and protection of water resources, particularly those that recharge aquifers that provide drinking water for rural areas in Ontario is more important than ever.
Control over shore line development is critical to ensuring that pollutants and excess nutrients do not enter rivers, streams and lakes, and that fish and other aquatic populations are not negatively impacted.
At this point it looks as though the proposed legislation could very well result in negative impacts to the quality of water resources in rural Municipalities.
I urge the Government to make certain that the proposed legislation does not result in unintended negative impacts to the quality of rural environments and water resources.
Apart from the concerns noted above I would urge the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade to review the many licensing, and other fees that have been levied against businesses over the past several years. These costs are particularly burdensome to small businesses in rural areas and given that they are passed on to customers/consumers represent indirect/hidden taxes that tend to curtail consumption which is the primary driver of economic growth. Relief from these costs would assist small businesses in rural areas of Ontario.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.