I cannot support Bill 66 in…

I cannot support Bill 66 in the manner in which it is written.

I support the concept that assigning land for development and assigning transfers of land between municipalities takes too long; this is causing serious delays to developing housing in a province where the lack of supply is driving up prices.

However, if the Bill or any plans put additional strain on water systems, then we must review and adjust any proposal. Our water systems are incredibly fragile and damage done is often permanent. All we need to do is look at the issues that First Nations communities are having when trying to get sustainable water for their communities. Water costs a lot to treat, to build treatment plants and distribution systems. If we damage the natural sources of water through development, the cost to provide water will go up and we may never be able to calculate how high those costs could get.

I want to see Ontario build more housing, but I do not want to see regulations that protect drinking water be undermined by a bill.

Further, if municipalities are given control to supersede provincial or federal legislation as it pertains to the environment and water, then one municipality could be authorizing work that does not hurt them, but does significant damage or impact downstream.