OPPOSITION TO BILL 66 -…

OPPOSITION TO BILL 66 - IMPORTANCE OF CLEAN WATERWAYS AND PROHIBITION ON DEVELOPMENT IN GREENBELT

Bill 66, Schedule 10 allows local municipalities to pass open-for-business by-laws, thereby eliminating the need to adhere to numerous plans and acts. My major concerns are:
(a) Ontario’s bodies of water must remain clean and safe for wildlife and humans alike. Because water flows above and below ground from one municipality to another, what one municipality decides to do will impact another municipality. We must not risk our waterways to impulsive and rushed municipal decisions which can often be influenced by developers and businesses whose interests and focus may not align with Ontarians’ health and safety. This is an extremely important issue where we must rule on the side of caution.
(b) Ontarians value the Greenbelt and want it to remain intact without any development whatsoever. The moment development is allowed on any part of the Greenbelt, the integrity of the whole Greenbelt starts to unravel and with the passage of enough time, no one will be able to tell where the Greenbelt is. In fact, it will cease to exist and that cannot be undone. The Greenbelt currently gives us a special and beautiful place to hike and enjoy – away from city sprawl and ugliness.