SCHEDULE 3 HIGHWAY 413 ACT,…

SCHEDULE 3 HIGHWAY 413 ACT, 2024

Section 2 of the above schedule to the proposed legislation making the Highway 413 project exempt from the Environmental Assessment Act is a short-sighted and dangerous inclusion.

The purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act "is the betterment of the people of the whole or any part of Ontario by providing for the protection, conservation and wise management in Ontario of the environment".

To undercut the Environmental Assessment Act is to disregard any potential negative impacts caused by but not limited to the Highway 413 project.

If these projects are to truly benefit the people of Ontario they should be implemented carefully so as not to cause harm. Consideration should also be taken as to what parties may benefit from sidestepping the Environmental Assessment Act and what parties may be negatively impacted. The interests of the people of Ontario should be placed above any private interests.