I have some thoughts…

I have some thoughts regarding Bill 5 and the proposed amendments to the act.

I do agree that development processes and the general public would benefit from scientific and indigenous knowledge-based clarifications of the definitions of "habitat" and the like. If this information were more accessible and mandatory guidelines were outlined, then companies involved in development could and should make their processes more environmentally sound.

However, I fundamentally disagree with the concept of "economic zones" and no requirement of permits to start development projects. This does not require as much due diligence and due process to carry out a project. Permits and our current processes are a necessary component to ensure the conservation of our many delicate and fragmented habitats across Ontario. Without this necessary red tape, we will surely lose the rest of our fragmented and highly valuable ecosystems, especially in the heavily-populated South Western Ontario.

In my career within the environmental industry, I have seen quite a few incidents and processes that lacked proper execution and have directly harmed many species. The theoretical guidelines laid out by the new act may not always be followed either due to severe lack of environmental knowledge and training, lack of care, or both. Therefore, more due process and due diligence is required to incorporate TRUE environmental care within the development of our lands.

We should be looking towards better connection within our current urban landscapes, not how to expand urban sprawl and development to the rest of the province.