Working in the development…

Working in the development industry as a consultant for the aggregate industry, I applaud the governments action for undertaking this review. It is high time. I've been working both in and out of government (MNR) in this sector for 30 years and the progressive and out-of-control movement to throw roadblocks in front of the industry has been shocking. In particular, the MNR, now MNRF, seems to have completed migrated from being a manager of natural resources to the Ministry of Endangered Species Act Protection and Roadblocks. Gone is any thought of working with industry. Gone are any efforts to compromise, enter into partnerships, and do anything innovative in terms of stewardship. Each year, more and more species are seemingly added to the list, resulting in time lags in MNRF study criteria and ultimately delays for aggregate development. Costs are out of control. Everyone in the industry understands that some habitat is off limits (i.e wetlands). However, farm fields (Boblink), forested areas (Bats), scrub fields (eastern meadowlark) and the list goes on and on in terms of areas off-limits to aggregate development. Please, review the species and how they are added, but most importantly, insist that government come back down to earth. Truly make the MNR a ministry that manages all natural resources, including aggregates and not just species at risk or endangered species.