This proposal removes any…

This proposal removes any remaining doubt that this government intends to eliminate all historical municipal rights governing land use planning. The only apparent reason for this egregious abuse of power is to pander to the narrow interests of developers who seek to avoid the necessity for compliance with Official Plans, established zoning stipulations and environmental protection regulations.

Nothing in the recent Planning Act changes (inexplicably included within the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020), or the mindless destruction of the powers of regional and municipal conservation authorities, or the rampant increase in the issuance of Ministerial Zoning Orders, or the provisions set out in this proposal can be deemed in any way necessary to enhance or improve management of land use in the province; in fact, these changes purposefully ignore the legitimate interests and concerns of municipalities and their citizens who seek to prevent irresponsible land use that results in conflicting development styles, densities, designs and locations that irreparably damage the landscape, existing property values, critical conservation concerns, and overall community pride and enjoyment.

Residential intensification and affordable housing are laudable goals; however, their achievement does not require abandonment of long-established practices of participatory consultation, debate, alternative proposals and reasonable compromise. Any government that imposes its will by decree cannot claim to be either democratic or devoted to the best interests of its citizens.

All of these recent changes to the land use planning process are devastatingly wrong, whatever objective the province is seeking to accomplish. This proposal must therefore be withdrawn to maintain the confidence of the people of Ontario in the honour and integrity of their government.