Comment re: EBR Registry #…

Comment re: EBR Registry # 013-4125 (Proposed Open-for-Business Planning Tool)

I wish to express my strong opposition to Schedule 10 of Bill 66, which introduces “open-for-business by-laws”. These would circumvent planning requirements and land-use restrictions (under numerous provincial laws, plans, and policies) which function to: ensure fair, consistent, and transparent public engagement in land-use decisions; and, protect environmental resources, natural heritage, and human health in Ontario.

Government and industry in this province must always act in a manner that takes into account health, environmental, and quality-of-life issues that affect our citizens. Under the guise of cutting red tape, however, Schedule 10 does exactly the opposite by favouring short-term industry profits at the expense of the environment and communities. Ontario's economy is strong, the unemployment rate is at its lowest level in 18 years, and the construction industry is doing well. There is absolutely no need to “streamline” municipal planning processes which have been developed to safeguard environmental quality and protect public health and safety.

“Open-for-business by-laws” will elude current legal requirements intended to ensure open and meaningful public engagement regarding land-use decisions in our communities. These by-laws: can be passed without any public notice or meetings; cannot be appealed to the “Local Planning Appeal Tribunal”; do not need to be consistent with municipal official plans; do not need to be consistent with Planning Act policy statements; and, do not need to conform to provincial plans. How can the provincial Conservatives claim that this is “Government for the people” (as they frequently reiterate)?

Such action would turn back the clock on years of sound planning, community input, and strong leadership from previous provincial governments. These proposed changes will facilitate unrestrained development that will likely result in adverse affects to vulnerable natural features, and the water resources that are used by all citizens. The sole purpose of this legislative change is to support industry initiatives - some of which may have deleterious impacts on communities and the environment.

I urge you to remove Schedule 10 from Bill 66 – for the sake of the environment, and for the health and well-being of communities across Ontario. We do not want another tragedy similar to Walkerton.