I have the following…

I have the following concerns:
The proposed Bill 23 frames the conservation of heritage resources generally and within the current tools as being a barrier to more housing. I do not agree with this and I believe it is not a fair statement, and it is one that does not recognize the many accomplishments to date where heritage resources have been incorporated into development to into beautiful, sensitive and inclusive developments. Heritage Conservation as a practice has been demonstrated in countless successful redevelopment projects to be a consideration that can work within a proposal and in fact it enhances our ever progressive communities and aligns with sustainability targets. Heritage is not opposed to more housing. Heritage is for quality and meaningful, human centered places. I am really concerned, that making it a more rigorous legislated process to list properties actually creates barriers and eliminates options for the general public to articulate, understand, share information, integrate resources into development and appreciate culture and cultural heritage sites as well as amend and reevaluate our understanding of a site as time goes by. How can we truly reflect and embrace culture in our surrounding environment and in a modern, inclusive, kind, empathetic society if the bar to appreciate, identify, tell transparent stories of our society and protect culture and cultural resources through listing and designation is set so high and asks for so much justification that it becomes unattainable for the general public? We should leave listing requirements the way they are, and not add requirements to meet more than one criteria in order to designate under Part 4 of the OHA. Pleade do not make the listing and designation process require more time and money because it makes culture inaccessible. People want to identify and keep the essence of a place and allow for smart change and keep a balance. Instead, please make designation easier to complete, clearer and faster, not more cumbersome and unattainable. People and communities need cultural resources as part of our balanced wellbeing. The process to identify and protect cultural resources has to be accessible to all. I believe we live in a country where the value we cherish is to embrace culture and its resources, not discount them.