I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed changes to the MZO. Allowing the minister to override our environmental agencies and scientific evidence to build over environmentally important areas is wrong.

The specific example is the use of the MZO to override the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, which uses science-based research to determine suitability for development, in Pickering. The TRCA strongly opposes paving over the vulnerable wetland in Pickering, however the MZO was issued overriding the scientific advice. The MZO is also vulnerable to corruption, as the developer that the Minister approved is a donor to the Conservative party. I do not know why that is legal.

The MZO also forced the TRCA to issue a permit to destroy the wetland to their protest. In a sane world, the TRCA would override the MZO. I am about to have my first child, and I’m thinking more and more about our future and the destruction of the environment. This proposed change makes me have less hope for Ontario’s environmental future, if a conservative donor can get the MZO to override the TRCA’s scientific environmental protective advice.