Dear Premier and Ministers…

Dear Premier and Ministers.

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Schedule 10 of Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018; and its associated Environmental Registry postings: ERO 013-4239 for a proposed open-for-business regulation under the Planning Act; and ERO 013-4125 regarding a proposed open-for-business planning tool.

It is unacceptable that an open-for-business planning by-law would prioritize economic goals and objectives at the exclusion of environmental and social goals and values. It's also extremely troubling that a municipal open-for-business planning by-law would not be subject to public notice, comment or appeal provisions which are currently mandatory under the Planning Act.

The proposed framework is inconsistent with holistic and sustainable development, and out of alignment with an open, transparent and inclusive approach to community engagement and public consultation.

Sustainable development and a healthy environment must go hand-in-hand. We all want safe, healthy and resilient communities, so it is important that our freshwater and groundwater resources, our farmland and the environment are protected.

If passed, this legislation would allow municipalities and local developers to bypass important environmental and public safety protections. Risky and imprudent development decisions made in one or more jurisdictions or adjacent municipalities could have significant cumulative negative impacts on our air, land and water, as well as the Great Lakes and many other highly valued ecosystems.

Being “Open-for-Business” is a good thing, unless it is at the expense of public health and safety or the environment.

I strongly object to Schedule 10 and request that it be removed from Bill 66.

Yours truly.

Gary Christie
Director, Nottawasaga Steelheaders