I have a number of concerns…

I have a number of concerns with this bill
1 - The changes in this bill result in less opportunities for parkland dedication and make strategic focus on parkland dedication less likely to happen.
This will means that planning for open space will be disjointed.
As nurse practitioner this is a great concern to me.
Science and medicine have demonstrated time and time again the importance of time in nature to our physical and mental health. I routinely prescribe walking in nature for anxiety, blood pressure control, addictions management and many other illnesses.
Not everyone has a car so it is critical that there be easy access to green spaces in new developments. In this current time of mental health crisis it is negligent of the Government to be passing bills that undermine the importance of green space to the development of healthy communities.

2 - The way this bill was passed makes a mockery of the idea that we, the people, are heard and can help guide bill implementation. The bill was passed with royal assent days after the comment deadline was extended. There is no way these comments make into any consultation discussions or were able to have any impact on the bill development.
In our current climate of a public struggling to trust health practitioners this is just one more act that will result erosion of the public trust in government institutions - e.g. Public Health. The last thing people already struggling with mental health issues over who to trust and help guide them need is concrete evidence that the government doesn't actually care what you have to say.

3 - All the opportunities to avoid development charges offered to developers in the bill means that Municipalities will have to rely on taxation to recover costs of developments. In my small community NP practice at least 30% of my practice already struggle to make ends meet and many cannot afford proper housing locally. Increasing taxes as a result of being unable to charge development fees will push that percentage higher, pushing some into poverty and likely result in the community being a work here but cannot live here situation for many individuals.