I am saddened and shocked that the current provincial government had the temerity to push Bill 5 (‘Unleashing our Economy Act’) through. There was no consultation with First Nations, whose land will be greatly affected, and the legislation was rushed through.
It allows for geographical areas to be considered ‘Special Economic Zones’, bypassing critical processes to protect endangered species, heritage sites and treaty rights. It encompasses changes this government wants to initiate (or already have) including infrastructure, mining and resource development, trying to create a single step process for project proponents to avoid going through different Ministries where expertise may lie that could interrupt fast tracking.
This could reduce the preservation of biodiversity in the North Bruce or anywhere else where there is ‘undeveloped’ land or waters. This ambiguity loosens the social contract the government had previously maintained with its populace, creating overwhelming governmental ability to do what they want, wherever they want, in the name of supposed economic development. There are other ways to stimulate the economy besides environmental destruction. This legislation is a throwback to the colonial government attitude of control in a single minded push for ‘progress’ that gives too much free rein for politicians to ride roughshod over areas of sensitivity.
We need to maintain safeguards for our environment, our Indigenous people and our democratic rights that were in place, now overruled by this omnibus legislation. It is particularly reminiscent of politics south of the border.
Please express your opinion to our MPP Paul Vickers at paul.vickers@pc.ola.org
B Dywan,
Tobermory
