A summer of submissions, but not submission

From Andrew McCammon Ontario Headwaters Institute 

The Ontario government continues its unparalleled and cynical assault on environmental protection and democratic norms.

Its most recent effort was Bill 197, the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act (2020), which had virtually nothing to do with COVID nor a broad, multi-sector economic vision.

Instead, the bill pandered to a 1970s development attitude and further reduced environmental protection in Ontario while ignoring world-wide efforts to shift to a green and just recovery. Worse, it was yet another omnibus bill, exempting itself from the environmental registry, ignoring public consultation, and side-stepped debate in any legislative standing committee.

And the onslaught continues. Next up is proposed amendment 1 to A Place to Grow: The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, found at https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1680, with comments due July 31.

You can see our comments here – OHI to OGS on ERO 019-1680 July 27.

Right after that, due August 2, are comments on Updating Ontario’s Water Quantity Management Framework, ERO 019-1340.

Then, due August 22, are comments on four regulations under the infamous Bill 197:
-Environmental exemptions for mining;
-Exempting certain actions in parks and conservation areas;
-Streamlined EA for GTA West – Highway 413;
-Streamlined EA for Bradford Bypass.

You know – over the summer, after there was no consultation on the Bill.

We won’t have time for all that, as we will be working on WaterScape III and our recommendations to safeguard resilient landscapes and healthy water in south-central Ontario but, as always…

We look forward to talking with you downstream.

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