Bill 66 is all wrong for Waterloo Region

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Published on Monday, 14 January 2019 19:09

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Published in TheRecord.com, Opinion Section, January 11, 2019

One could credibly argue that actively participating in downgrading existing environmental regulations would damage Waterloo Region’s international reputation.

Thinking that opening up the well-established greenbelt as well as downgrading environmental regulations makes Ontario "open for business" is simplistic, wrong-headed and could actually be detrimental to the Waterloo Region economy. Since its founding, Waterloo Region has focused on environmental stewardship, cleaning up legacy industrial sites, preventing groundwater contamination and recognition of the importance of the aquifer. Much has been accomplished and at the same time, in parallel with a wholesale change in the region's legacy industrial base, today Waterloo Region has arguably the lowest unemployment and strongest economy in the province. Education and innovation have been the key drivers. Not lax environmental stewardship. One could credibly argue that actively participating in downgrading existing environmental regulations would damage Waterloo Region's international reputation.

James Akeroyd,
Waterloo

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