Dear Editor:
I am writing to express serious concerns about the Ontario Government’s proposed Bill 66 – Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act and the need to have Guelph-Eramosa Township and all other municipal governments in Wellington County make their positions on this proposed legislation public.
The proposed Bill 66 is an omnibus piece of legislation that many of us believe poses a serious threat to our environment, land and water resources. This proposed legislation would create an “Open For Business” municipal bylaw that would enable municipalities, under circumstances determined by a municipality, to disregard or override critical sections of previously enacted environmental and water protection Acts, including sections of the Great Lakes Protection Act, the Clean Water Act and the Greenbelt Act.
Enactment of Bill 66 would also undermine democratic principles regarding municipal business transparency and public consultation or knowledge until after-the-fact. It is now well known that the mayors of Guelph, Hamilton and Burlington have already made public their opposition to Bill 66.
My appeal to readers of the Advertiser is that you familiarize yourselves with this proposed bill and contact your mayor and councillors to voice any concerns and to ask every municipality to document and share their position on the proposed legislation.
A proposed bill, slyly and quietly introduced on the last day of the Ontario Legislature’s fall term, that undermines democratic practices, rendering voters mute and inconsequential, and offers multiple, individually worthy distractions before zeroing in on the heart of the proposed legislation is not good legislation or a reflection of good planning and good governance.
We’re living in a time of climate crisis and potable water insecurity that the Ontario government hasn’t even begun to address seriously, as it continues to dismantle or undermine environmental offices, laws and safeguards.
Our agricultural land must be protected and preserved. So must our drinking water. Ontario has always been open for business. What we need is improved technology, clean energy industries and jobs that don’t come at the expense of people’s health and generational well-being.
The province has requested the public respond with comments on Bill 66 by Jan. 20. Letters may also be sent to Mr. Todd Smith, Minister of Economic Development.
Susan McSherry, RR6 Guelph