Thank you for listening to…

Thank you for listening to the people of Ontario! The proposed changes will improve the Water Quantity Management Program.

1. I support the proposal to require water-bottling companies to seek support from their host municipality when applying for a Permit to Take Water. I full-heartedly agree with the proposed amendments to require water-bottling companies to have the full support of their host municipality as a condition for an application for a new or expanded Permit to Take Water for water bottling purposes. I also agree that the municipality should have the authority to refuse to support a proposed Permit to Take Water for water bottling purposes. Within stressed areas, the threshold for the host municipality to have authority/input should be reduced to a threshold of 50,000 litres.

2. Permits should consider the cumulative impact of all permitted takings.

3. I support the proposed changes to consider and prioritize water use in guiding decisions, with emphasis on water for the environment, drinking water and agriculture.

4. I agree that water should be managed on a regional basis, rather than an individual permit basis. The regional consideration should consider cumulative impacts of all water taking.

5. I agree with the proposed changes that support increased transparency.

I would like to see a study that will take societal and cultural values into account regarding Permits to Take Water.

Overall, I am supportive of this proposal. Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.