Remove Schedule 10 from Bill…

Remove Schedule 10 from Bill 66, which allows municipalities to override provisions in the Greenbelt Act, Clean Water Act, Lake Simcoe Act, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act and Great Lakes Protection Act.

The safety of our drinking water and the integrity of the Greenbelt should not be undermined by Bill 66. Schedule 10 compromises critical environmental protections and undermines public health. It should be completely stricken from the legislation.

During the election, you promised to protect the Greenbelt and you recently released a “Made in Ontario” Environment Plan which made the same commitment.

The Clean Water Act was brought into effect after the deaths in Walkerton. Industrial activity in Elmira in the late 1980s continues to make that water undrinkable.

Provincial and municipal data show there is enough land already available in our towns and cities for our housing needs up to 2041. There is also a surplus of land for new businesses and we should be encouraging investment in these areas. By building within our existing towns and cities throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe we can increase the supply of affordable housing and jobs in our existing serviced communities while holding firm on urban boundaries.

Protected farmland supplies local food and enhances food security at a time when prices are rising and supplies from other countries are increasingly threatened. Farming is also economically important and provides jobs to thousands. Sprawl onto farmland destroys farm businesses and farm communities.

Water is critical to human survival. Opening areas that have been protected for the safety of our drinking water to development threatens our long term health and increases flood risks.

Natural areas provide habitat for wildlife, sequester carbon and mitigate climate change, provide recreation and clean our air.

Once gone, farmland and natural areas are gone forever. Please keep your promise and change Bill 66.