Bill 66 leaves me with grave…

Bill 66 leaves me with grave concerns about the impact it will have on the environment and human health!

Bill 66 exempts developers from rules that are crucial to protecting human health. For example, it undermines the Clean Water Act, which protects people from tragedies like the one that happened in Walkerton, where water contamination led to 7 deaths and thousands of cases of severe illness. The bill threatens vital water sources for Ontarians, including Lake Simcoe and the Great Lakes. It also repeals the Toxics Reduction Act meant to reduce pollution by preventing industrial uses of certain toxic chemicals.

The Greenbelt has the capacity to store as much carbon dioxide as would be emitted by 33 million cars a year. Interfering with that crucial ecosystem means missing out on a chance to reduce our emissions and meet climate targets! This is an urgent consideration for the survival of the planet and the human species.

The Greenbelt is also economically important. It provides $3.2B annually in services to the region, such as recreational activities and flood protection. It was created in 2005 to deliberately limit the rapid urban sprawl that was encroaching on land that is both environmentally and economically significant.

Please reconsider and put the health and well-being of the people and the planet before profits!

Thank you for your sincere consideration of my concerns and the concerns of many who care about the future health of the planet.