They say the devil is in the…

They say the devil is in the details, and one might think, therefore, that as there are no regulations as yet, it would be impossible to comment on the effects of Bill 108. Unfortunately, it is not necessary to see the regulations to grasp the major implications of this Orwellian-titled Act. None of the changes proposed in the legislation will result in more homes -- at least not in affordable or livable homes or vibrant communities -- nor in more choice. The primary beneficiaries of the legislation will be developers. Municipalities and their residents, including even endangered species, will be the losers. There will be less choices as to what gets built where. There will be less chance that heritage buildings will be preserved. There will be fewer parks and basic services and amenities, such as community centres, day cares, libraries, and arts and cultural spaces. Municipal governments and residents alike will have less say in the shape their communities take. Of course there will be beneficiaries: namely members of the development industry, especially larger developers. They will have fewer demands placed on them. Their projects may or may not proceed more quickly -- none of the changes guarantee that -- and they undoubtedly will result in greater profits. That seems to be the whole point: this is not a bill for the people, this is a bill for developers.