The Clean Water Act, the…

The Clean Water Act, the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, the Greenbelt Act and the Great Lakes Protection Act were established to ensure safe water supplies, protection of farmland and green space to ensure continued prosperity, health and well-being. Bill 66 allows municipalities to evade these environmental protection policies for either 50 jobs or 100 jobs, depending on the population within the given area. Prior to approving this Bill, what are the impacts resulting from development in sensitive areas? It is possible that the number of affected water supplies or endangered species will exceed the benefit of 50 or 100 jobs. Consider if these jobs are temporary of permanent because it's very likely that the negative impacts affecting residents or sensitive features will be permanent and potentially irreversible. Municipalities may not have the technical staff to properly assess the potential impacts associated with a proposed development that may create 50 or 100 jobs. Also, municipalities will not be required to post a notice or hold a hearing prior to passing the open for business by-law. This approach is undemocratic and weakens the framework of provincial level plans that have provided strong guidance to municipalities in Ontario.