Eastern Ontario mayors sign letter opposing Bill 23

More than 30 eastern Ontario mayors have endorsed a conservation authority letter to the province expressing concerns with provincial Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, which strips away legislation to make building housing easier across the province. 
 
Written by 10 eastern Ontario conservation authorities (CA), the letter was sent to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Graydon Smith, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks David Piccini, and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark.

Ottawa Deputy Mayor George Darouze signed the letter along with the mayors of Smith Falls, Perth, Mississippi Mills, South Frontenac, Lanark Highlands and Clarence-Rockland.

The letter outlines six key concerns and offers the provincial government recommendations to improve Bill 23 to protect Ontario's watersheds. The CAs concerns revolve around how the Bill will negatively impact local development review processes, increase costs to taxpayers, increase the risk of flooding and erosion, and damage the local environment.

According to the letter, Bill 23 would weaken the CAs ability to protect “people and property from natural hazards such as floods.” 

“The province is proposing changes that would reduce the number and the extent of wetlands,” said Sally McIntyre, general manager of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, on The Sam Laprade Show on Tuesday, Nov. 16. “The province is removing certain elements that protect these wetlands today.”

Conservation Authorities are mandated to manage Ontario's watersheds and protect people and property from flooding and other natural hazards, and conserve natural resources for economic, social and environmental benefits.

Bill 23 is currently in its second reading with the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy of the Ontario Legislative Assembly.

Listen to the full interview with Sally McIntyre below: