This Bill is an…

This Bill is an unprecedented and unacceptable attack on provisions that currently safeguard public health, protect our environment and provide overall safety in our municipalities. Bill 66 allows for development for residential and factory purposes over Greenbelt areas. This undermines the past efforts to protect Ontario's drinking water and the Toxic Reduction Act to reduce the release of toxic chemicals. Wetlands, woodlands and species at risk would be threatened by this Bill. Wetlands are so important to our municipalities because they aid in collecting and draining water from nearby municipalities and furthermore filtering this water before it enters our groundwater. Furthermore, wetlands are homes very biodiverse ecosystems which are essential to the survival of many species that rely on these habitats. It would undermine efforts to make Ontario communities more livable, sustainable and resilient. Open-for-business by-laws would override PPS policies supporting active transportation, affordable housing, green infrastructure and climate resiliency. It would compromise transparency and public engagement. Contrary to current legal requirements (Planning Act, Clean
Water Act), the by-laws could be passed without any prior public notice, behind closed doors. It would leave citizens without recourse and community members would not be able to appeal open-for-business by-laws to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. Our government is here to meet the needs of all citizens and protect their future, their health and their safety. For the sake of our children this Bill cannot pass.