As an Ontario resident, I am…

As an Ontario resident, I am proud of the regulations that we have in place, which protect our natural heritage, including waterways, such as the Great Lakes, Lake Simcoe and other watercourses and groundwater upon which we depend for survival.

Our Greenbelt, surrounding the built-up Golden Horseshoe and beyond, was created to make sure that our water resources are protected, as well as priceless agricultural land, and the ecosystems which live in the natural areas. Connectivity is crucial in allowing for migration and survival of species, both flora and fauna. The Greenbelt is a corridor for movement of species.

The Greenbelt is vitally important in protecting downstream urban areas from flooding. Land with forests, trees and other vegetation is permeable to rainfall, and slows down the flow of water into rivers after a downpour or storm. The more land that is cleared, built up and paved over, the greater the runoff of the water, and thus, the flooding of urban areas.

All of these factors were considered in creating the Greenbelt. It is important for our survival.

To thoughtlessly create legislation to nullify the effect of the Greenbelt Act, as well as other environmental protection legislations, such as the Clean Water Act, the Great Lakes Protection Act, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act and the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, is unconscionable. This is not removing red tape, or streamlining. It is flying in the face of previous wisdom, gained through such hard lessons as learned in the Walkerton water tragedy. (It's interesting to note in the CELA article cited, that the Ministry of Environment budget was reduced by 40% between 1995 and 2000 - the same period that the Mike Harris government was in power.)

I am completely and strongly against the gutting of environmental laws, thus threatening endangered species, natural heritage, our water, our farmland and the lives of our residents. Bill 66 must not pass!