Comments on Bill 66 - New…

Comments on Bill 66 - New Regulation under the Planning Act for Open-for-Business Planning Tool

Based on years of experience dealing with the shortcomings of an application to re-open an old toxic landfill in:
• class one wetland
• in Carolinian forest
• on land that was part of the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee,

I am extremely alarmed with Bill 66 – in particular Schedule 10.

My volunteer experience in dealing with this old landfill site made me aware of the current shortcomings, the limited resources/power of the Provincial and Municipal Government to protect sensitive land from actions of a company which had short-term financial gain as its priority. I shudder to think of what damage the “Open for Business by-laws” would to the protective, though weak, infrastructure that is in place.

The speed with which this Bill 66 is being pushed through negates decades of work done by this province to protect source water, natural heritage, farmland and human health and well-being. This Bill 66 will rip apart the financial resources that the people of this province have invested in legislation and the human resources. The knowledge of the people in the Ministries involved cannot be under-rated.

From the Pembina Institute:
"The Bill will also dramatically weaken the public’s right to comment on development projects that might affect the environment, including access to clean water, natural heritage systems and agricultural lands...Ontario’s regulatory framework must evolve in a way that not only attracts business investments but also protects Ontarians from risks like a changing climate and drinking water contamination, and protects our farmlands and green spaces. The Bill 66 changes to the Planning Act take us in the wrong direction."

As a registered nurse, I witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by the Harris’ government “Common Sense Revolution”, when cuts were drastically made – especially in the community. As a province, we have never recovered from that damage.

This proposed legislation demonstrates a deep disrespect for the people of Ontario and future generations.

I plead with the Government to stop this Bill and its sweeping repercussions.