Ontario Greenbelt Coalition's Submission Regarding Bill 66

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Published on Friday, 18 January 2019 21:11

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Dear Mr. Helfinger and Mr. Petersen,

RE: 013-4293 Bill 66: Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018; 013-4125
Proposed open-for-business planning tool; 013-4239 New Regulation under the Planning Act for open-for-business planning tool

The Ontario Greenbelt Alliance members have deep concerns about many aspects of Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018. The proposed legislation would override critical requirements, under several provincial laws and policies that are designed to protect water, farmland, natural heritage and human health. It would do so in a fashion that undermines fair, consistent and transparent public engagement in decision-making and sets the stage for costly property tax increases to subsidize economically inefficient sprawl development.

Collectively, our organizations represent thousands of citizens across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. On their behalf we urge the government not to proceed with Bill 66, Schedule 10 for the reasons outlined below and trust that they will be considered with respect to all three relevant ERO postings (i.e., 013-4293, 013-4125, 013-4239).

Bill 66 would allow municipalities to pass “open-for-business” zoning by-laws that would circumvent fundamental protections for drinking water, farmland, natural heritage and human health set out in Ontario’s key planning laws and policies and in municipal official plans. The potential negative impact is far-reaching and profound.

Continue to read OGA's submission.

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