To whom this may concern, I…

To whom this may concern,

I work in the Ontario Heritage industry as a licensed archaeologist. Your proposed changes to the heritage act are grossly irresponsible. I understand why builders may not see value in cultural heritage but the majority of the population does otherwise my industry, the industry you're trying to dismantle, would not exist.
You've already silently moved the heritage act into the hands of a minister with zero heritage training. Horrible move and transparently corrupt.
My industry already faces great struggles with the relationship we share with the Indigenous community. We've made great strides in repairing this relationship but this proposed by pass of what is deemed significant by untrained, biased parties will only serve to destroy the relationship we've built.
If you want our industry to move quicker FUND THE GOVERNMENT BODY THAT REVIEWS AND ACCEPTS OUR WORK ADEQUATELY. They have a backlog of work that is months and in some cases years long because they don't have enough funding to hire the amount of professionals needed to complete the work on time. The MTSC desperately needs more funding, more employees, and more power when it comes to how the heritage act is used. They're the professionals. Listen to them!
IF THEY CANT REVIEW REPORTS IT SLOWS DOWN BUILDING, IT SLOWS DOWN PLANNING, IT SLOWS DOWN EVERYTHING.
If you want things built faster without a massive outcry from the indigenous community from the environmentalists and from those of us who work in these industries try giving us the resources to do our jobs efficiently. Superseding the law isn't the answer it'll just create irreversible damage to the physical history of this province. Our standards need revision but not in the way your proposing.

Maybe talk to the heritage industry rather than trying to sweep us under the rug. You'll save a lot of money in lawsuits.

-Kat