CELA writes on April 7,2020…

CELA writes on April 7,2020 Citing the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government recently passed a regulation that temporarily exempts governmental proposals from having to comply with Part II of the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR).
Part II is by far the most important component of the EBR since it establishes a mandatory public participation regime that is generally triggered whenever the provincial government is making environmentally significant decisions.

Similarly, the EBR requires governmental decision-makers to consider the key environmental policies, principles and commitments set out in the Statements of Environmental Values (SEVs) developed by various ministries under the EBR.
However, the newly announced regulation suspends both of these important obligations under the EBR until 30 days after the provincial emergency declaration on COVID-19 has ended.

Not satisfied having reduced the "Community Benefit" from 20% to 5% this government wants to further attack green spaces and therefor the environment where people live in order to increase profits of developers.

The absence of canopy trees creates a desert effect increasing heat and accelerating wind speeds. There is no relief for residents when adequate green space is bypassed and disastrous when this practice accumulates across an entire district.
*The practice of cash-in-lieu has only contributed to the desertification of downtown cores.

*Canopy trees need open spaces. Without these dedicated spaces evenly distributed throughout the urban core, cities cannot grow trees. This negatively impacts residents and local wildlife.

*Increasingly urban land and subsequent housing is being controlled by corporations and their profits rather than individuals looking to create healthy communities. It remains the responsibility of government to ensure balance and green space is preserved.
*Other community benefits needing funding such as affordable housing are big issues that need a dedicated government response rather than a ‘nickle and dime’ approach by pirating other areas of urban development.

Stop your attacks on the environment.