As a resident of Stratford,…

As a resident of Stratford, I have recently become aware of MZO's and the way they streamline the process of deciding what to do with land in Ontario by giving the Ministry almost sole authority over it. It is my considered opinion that this is a process antithetical to a democracy, and one which is open to much misuse and abuse. Here in Stratford, we are currently seeing this in the case of the "proposed" Xinyi Glass Factory, a enterprise widely opposed by citizens who are extremely frustrated by the secrecy surrounding this environmentally questionable project and the use of the MZO to push it through. We see Xinyi as threatening theatre, the business on which the town rests, and showing no sensitivity to the concerns of the population or awareness of its culture -- which is not elitist but made up of artesans, actors, children, writers, seniors, the middle aged, school dropouts, Ph.D's, Americans, Canadians and other citizens of the world, the disabled, athletes, men, women, girls, boys, high school students -- everyone who enjoys and benefits from theatre and the challenges, pleasures and income it brings. I oppose this unconscionable attack on our autonomy and the economy of our prime industry at a time when it we are already threatened by the effects of the COVID pandemic. With no public comment or consultation, I do not know how the Ministry can possibly understand the ramifications of this MZO on our community, its activities and health, and believe the same criticism would apply in many other communities that might find themselves similarly subjected to the arbitrary and authoritarian MZO process.

(Though I am giving this comment anonymously this is simply in order to expedite sending it; I stand by what I write and would be happy to self-identify if given the opportunity.)