As a life long farmer and…

As a life long farmer and person connected to the environment it is very disturbing to see the Government of Ontario chipping away at citizens right to have an input into development in their area. The latest is the passing of Bill 197 that allows the Minister of Municipal Affairs to override a municipalities ability to control development in their area through the use of site plan control and gives the Minister the authority to dictate what kind of development can occur. The Minister has said he will approve Ministerial Zoning Orders only after it being approved by municipal council. This is not sufficient!! These approvals can easily fly under the radar of citizens, and also be orchestrated to do so by unscrupulous municipalities and councilors. The result is that the citizens being affected by these developments have no opportunity for input and control through their locally elected officials. This is a assault against democracy resulting in the loss of diminishing prime farmland, the irreparable destruction of valuable environmental areas, and increase local environmental pollution. Municipal Official Plans, Bylaws and procedures have allowed for the open, transparent, robust discussion about development and are fair for everyone. This is an egregious squashing of established due process by government and should be done away with except for areas where no Official Plans are in place, as originally intended. I am not against development but open, due process must occur!!