The exemptions in Schedule…

The exemptions in Schedule 10 of Bill 66 threaten to undermine the necessary overarching regulatory framework that ensures municipal decisions adhere to basic standards of environmental protection, to ensure the health of the wider environment in the province. This Schedule should be removed from the Bill.

The province must ensure that local planning and development decisions are taken with prudent standards of due diligence and basic care for the portions of waterways and green spaces within each municipality’s borders. A local interest may not align with the wider, long-term needs of the environment, which affects all Ontarians.

Of further concern is that Schedule 10 would allow “Open for Business” bylaws to be passed without prior public notice or consultation. This does not respect our democratic process, and might lead to the passage of bylaws contrary to the wishes or interests of a community, and with no substantive recourse.

Potentially, this could allow one municipality to take a decision with negative consequences for the health and safety of water supplies downstream, affecting the health and environment not for its residents, but for those of neighbouring municipalities and more distant communities. Combined with the lack of public notice or consultation, this could be disastrous.

I live in a community that gets its water supply from a river. I should not need to worry about the safety of my drinking water because of poor environmental stewardship upstream. I do not want to walk along the river shore and find dead fish because another municipality exempted itself from important provincial legislation.

Direct protections for large waterways and water systems, as well as key green spaces that act as aquifers, are needed to safeguard the supply of clean water for all Ontarians. We need clean and healthy ecosystems to provide this both for ourselves, and for future generations. This duty to protect natural resources must be taken seriously, as there is no “undo” button if they are destroyed by poorly-planned or short-sighted over-development. The future of Ontario should belong to all Ontarians, not just developers and business owners. Reducing red tape for businesses now is of no benefit if it reduces the quality of life for all Ontarians later.

Again, please remove Schedule 10 from Bill 66.