I am deeply offended by many…

I am deeply offended by many of the provisions proposed in Bill 66. In particular the proposal that improving Ontario's competitiveness requires removal of basic democratic processes and acts which represent a long-term investment in the our health, the health of the environment, and the health and long-term economic growth potential of the region.

Specifically:
Schedule 10 needs to be removed.

1. The Toxic Reductions Act, The Clean Water Act, and the Greenbelt Act, Lake Simcoe Act, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act and Great Lakes Protection Act are critical in maintaining the health of the environment which feeds Toronto and protecting the long-term investment in the land surrounding the city. These acts represent a long-term investment in health and economic potential of the region, and to bypass them is very short-sighted.

2. Further, as currently proposed, there is no opportunity for public input into the process when "open for business" bylaws are created. I find this deeply offensive. There needs to be public notice, these bylaws need to be debated in the open, and there needs to be an appeal process. Municipalities should not be given unilateral power to put in place bylaws with such significant repercussions.

Further:
I am also very concerned about Schedule 7, the removal of protections for upholstery and stuffed articles, Schedule 5, the repeal of the Toxic Reductions Act. I also have some strong reservations about the implications of the recommendations under Schedule 1.