Bill 66 should not be…

Bill 66 should not be allowed to pass based on the following:

- Repeal of the Toxics Reduction Act and it’s regulations ensures that industries either: a) have a plan to reduce their output of toxic substances and b) have a plan to reduce their use of toxic substances. Removing this requirement puts our health at risk.

- Schedule 10 in Bill 66 Enables municipalities to override provisions in the Clean Water Act, Greenbelt Act, 2005, Great Lakes Protection Act, Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001, Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 and other provincial statutes. These regulations keep vital resources safe, protect our drinking water and are key to securing our economic future. Sacrificing the quality of our environment and our communities today will not make Ontario more sustainable now and into the future; it will make Ontario vulnerable and weak. Moreover, it will increase risk for repeat crises such as Walkerton and no doubt lead to expensive clean-ups, remediation and increased infrastructure all paid for at the cost of the taxpayer, not the developer or business.

The Greenbelt secures vital farm lands in climate zones not found many other places in Canada. Our ability to grow our own food is not just best economic practice, but a matter of national security. The green belt also protects many hunting and fishing grounds which are essential to sustaining traditional cultural practices.

- ERO Number 013-4239: Would permit municipalities to pass an “open-for business bylaw” on the basis of providing 50-100 jobs (depending on municipality size). The following is not required in the municipality’s submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and therefore I cannot support the amendment:
o No minimum requirement for the duration of those jobs (Full-Time Permanent, part time, casual)
o No minimum or expectation for high wage or skilled labour for those “new jobs”
o No criteria that the “new jobs” would be filled by local workers (which would directly benefit the municipality)
o No requirement to forecast the benefit to the local economy in short and long term
o Removes ability for citizens to appeal the decision made by the municipality

I do not support this Bill.