I am strongly opposed to the…

I am strongly opposed to the proposed legislation included in Bill 66, which would dramatically jeopardize the well-being and health of all Ontario citizens. I understand that the Conservative government is keen to create more economic opportunities with the “open-for-business” planning tool. However, this tool actively threatens carefully developed legal requirements designed to protect the quality of our drinking water, farmlands, recreational lands along with requirements that businesses take adequate measures to reduce the use of toxic chemicals and processes that threaten our natural environment and efforts to reduce climate change. With this narrow focus on business, the proposed measures in Bill 66 overlook opportunities to create, not just jobs and profits, but environmentally sustainable, livable communities and undermine the future health, productivity and well-being of all citizens for generations to come. I am also very troubled by provisions designed to allow municipalities to pass new by-laws without prior public notice, public debate or recourse to appeal.

Please do the right thing and reverse the profound environmental rollbacks proposed in Bill 66.