Hello: Having reviewed the…

Hello:

Having reviewed the proposed "open for business planning tool", I do not feel this tool will enhance the well being of Ontario residents. Below are the reasons this bill does not help Ontario residents.

1/ A council can pass the proposed bylaw without informing the public of their intent to pass the bylaw, and the public has no appeal process to challenge the decision. This is an assault on the ability of voters to participate in the land development process.

2/ The provisions to exempt future development from a number of existing controls (Official Plans and various environmental regulations), creates risk for the public in terms of water quality, exposure to toxins as well as the eventual results of development that does not adhere to the thorough planning that Official Plans are specifically designed to address.

3/ By specifically avoiding applying the Ontario Clean Water Act the new regulation opens up the possibility of another Walkerton type event. If the CWA is not seen as an appropriate control, address the act.

My recommendations are:

1/ Make it mandatory that a council must publish their intent to pass the bylaw with an appropriate notification timeline and accessible means for the public to respond to council's intentions.

2/ Existing environmental and planning provisions must stay in place. These provisions have been developed over decades to specifically address problems encountered in past developments. These past problems will occur again if such regulations are not followed. If the existing regulations are seen as the root of development problems in the province, then address the content of the specific regulations.

Thank you for your attention.