Bill 66 violates legal…

Bill 66 violates legal requirements to protect water, natural heritage, farmland and human health and well-being. It threatens drinking water across Ontario. It overrides policies in approved source protection plans intended for existing and future sources of municipal drinking water from threats such as landfills, sewage systems and improper handling of fuel, manure and pesticides.

This bill threatens wetlands, woodlands and habitat for species at risk across Ontario. It threatens two million acres of natural areas and farmland across the Greenbelt. It threatens freshwater and the ecological health of the Lake Simcoe watershed.

This bill undermines efforts to make Ontario communities more livable, sustainable and resilient. It compromises transparency and public engagement. Contrary to current legal requirements (Planning Act, Clean Water Act), new by-laws can be passed without any prior public notice, behind closed doors. Furthermore, residents are left without any recourse as community members aren't able to appeal to Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.