I DO NOT SUPPORT these…

I DO NOT SUPPORT these regulatory amendments to the Environmental Protection Act. I am deeply concerned about the potential harm and damage to the environment and species at risk, as well as the risks to human health and the potentially devastating impacts on rural agriculture and eco-tourism. The irreversible damage to lands and waterways is a recipe for disaster. We have seen disastrous and devastating consequences from water contamination before in Ontario and as such, tampering with water sources and waterways on such a potentially large scale is a terrifying idea. These changes would cut members of the public, indigenous community members and municipal consultation from the approvals process. This only serves to give developers an advantage, at the expense of those in Ontario who rely on the health and stability of lands and waterways for their own livelihood, health and wellbeing and for the livelihood, health and wellbeing of their future generations as well. Everyone in Ontario has a right to comment on and understand potentially disastrous changes to the lands and waterways in their own backyards! Specifically, I insist that conservation authorities be involved in the planning and oversight of stormwater management on all projects.

The proposed streamlining limits oversight by MNRF and MECP. Staff has already been cut in most of these Ministry offices and inspectors cannot keep up with field monitoring. Bill 23 has already removed Conservation Authorities’ input. We need to see the repeal of Bill 23, and the restoration of the Conservation Authorities’ oversight, along with the implementation of more — not less — oversight of these industries by arms-length professionals.

I support fully each of the points of opposition from the Canadian Environmental Law Association:

https://cela.ca/action-alert-environment-ministry-proposes-to-exempt-ha…

Finally, I insist that the aggregate extraction industry must be considered an ineligible industry for EASR permitting.