I urge this government, on…

I urge this government, on behalf of the majority of people, communities and municipalities in Ontario to remove Schedule 6 from Bill 229. Ontario's Conservation Authorities are publicly accountable, feasibly responsible, and best positioned to support all of us as we mitigate the impacts of climate change. Protecting our natural environment from further urban impacts is essential for our health and the health of our children. To quote MPP Ian Arthur: "Bill 229 rewrites the rules for conservation agencies that protect Ontario’s watersheds and allow developers to skip checks and balances, undermining conservation authorities and recklessly endangering communities.. no meaningful integrated watershed management will be possible. Schedule 6 is clouded with uncertainty, as is much of the detail, particularly in relation to setting out the scope of programs and services. Standards and requirements and other important matters will be left up to future regulatory development. The opposition to this lobby-driven schedule is coming from every corner of Ontario. Among many others, the mayors of Halton joined together in a letter that asked the government to stand the schedule down." https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/house-documents/parliament-…
The health of all in Ontario is intricately connected to the natural environments where we live. In protecting vulnerable and threatened wildlife populations we protect ourselves. That protection includes limiting human incursion into river valleys, lakes, and wildlife areas. It means protecting our water resources from over-use and contamination. It means building sustainably within established urban boundaries and valuing the natural areas for all the goods and services they provide. To quote Environmental Defence: "Conservation Authorities are a vital line of defence for the natural spaces that mitigate flood risk, provide precious land for hiking, fishing and escape into nature and provide essential habitat for the many species of wildlife, including endangered species that call Ontario home. If we lose these spaces, we can’t get them back." https://environmentaldefence.ca/campaign/protecting-ontarios-environmen…
The work that Conservation Authorities do in collaboration with municipalities and local communities to protect our natural environment and ensure we are equipped to deal with climate change is invaluable. We need the expertise and accountability of Conservation Authorities now more than ever.  
This legislation must not pass. The future of all in Ontario depends on removal of Schedule 6 from Bill 229.