I would like to register my…

I would like to register my opposition to Bill 66: An Act to restore Ontario's competitiveness by amending or repealing certain Acts.

I am more than concerned about the implications of Bill 66 and am disturbed to think that my provincial government would consider passing such a broad sweeping omnibus Bill that would threaten our health, our environment, and our democracy--all under the guise of creating employment at a time when our province is experiencing its lowest unemployment rate in 20 years.

Reading through the Bill and all the regulations and Acts that are being amended or repealed, it is very clear that this Bill represents an attempt to satisfy business interests at the expense of those of everyday Ontarians—the very people that the government is supposed to serve.

As the scope of this public consultation regarding Bill 66 is environmental in nature, I will limit my comments to the damaging impacts of Schedules 5 and 10 of the Bill.

HEALTH
Schedule 10 of Bill 66 specifically indicates that under the Bill’s proposed new “open for business” bylaw, new developers would be exempt from key environmental protections and policies including The Greenbelt Act, The Clean Water Act, The Great Lakes Protection Act, The Lake Simcoe Act, and The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act. This is a serious threat to the environment, health, and lives of Ontarians. These Acts, regulations, and policies were put in place to protect our incredibly important green spaces, farmland, natural heritage, and drinking water. Repealing them for new development purposes serves business interests at the expense of human and environmental health.

Furthermore, Schedule 5 suggests repealing the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009, and the regulations that were enacted with it--posing a serious threat to both our health and environment. The Toxics Reduction Act was established to prevent pollution in Ontario by reducing the use and release of toxins by industry in the province. Its purpose does not overlap that of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, which serves to gather and record information on toxins released by industries across Canada. CEPA does not focus on preventing the use or release of toxins, nor does it cover all toxic substances identified in Ontario, and this is why Ontario introduced the Toxics Reduction Act. Repealing this Act in the name of attracting new businesses is not in the best interest of any community, and puts our air, water, land, and health at risk.

ENVIRONMENT
In addition to the environmental threats mentioned above, Schedule 10 of the Bill threatens our farmland and environmentally sensitive natural heritage. Across Ontario, we have more than enough serviced land available for development and employment. Opening up our protected green spaces for development would increase urban sprawl, increase property taxes (due to increased costs to provide services to residents over a greater area), and impact our environment and climate resilience. Encouraging unnecessary urban sprawl is irresponsible, especially in light of the urgent need for all municipalities and provinces to reduce their carbon emissions. In fact, green spaces and farmland help sequester carbon, reduce air pollution, and help regulate climate and need better protections—not having their protections removed. Green spaces and farmland also provide valuable flood protection and water capture and filtration services, which help lower infrastructure costs and keep taxes lower. Repealing the Acts listed for new development purposes serves business interests at the expense of responsible development and sustainable growth.

DEMOCRACY
Schedule 10’s amendments to the Planning Act that would create an open-for-business bylaw that would remove the public’s right to be informed of, to be consulted on, and to appeal any new development violates the very essence of what democracy is about. The bylaw would tempt municipalities to violate publicly agreed-upon transportation and municipal growth plans all for short-term gains. It is transparent that this provision has been put in place to hasten and implement deals that would not be supported by citizens who should have the right to participate in decisions affecting their neighbourhoods, communities, and environment.

Bill 66 proposes to amend or repeal regulations were put in place to protect our society. Granting businesses licence to ignore plans, policies, and Acts that protect our environment, farmland, green spaces, farmland, and health (as the Bill sets out to achieve) is a dangerous path to take. Economic development does not have to happen at the expense of environmental protections. Ontario is already open for business: it should not be open for businesses that are wanting to pollute, harm, or destroy our environment. I urge you to remove Schedules 5 and 10 from the Bill.