Doug Ford's midnight amendments to law a vicious attack on environment: NDP

QUEEN'S PARK — NDP Environment critic Ian Arthur responded to the Ford government introducing amendments allowing developers to destroy wetlands, floodplains and source water at a cost to human safety, to proposed legislation that attacks Conservation Authorities:

"Doug Ford is a threat to Ontarians' safety. Ontario's wetlands, floodplains and source water and the wildlife they support aren't just beautiful; they protect people from dangers like flooding, disease and the contamination of our food and water.

The government's proposed amendments to a terrifying law that already attacks Conservation Authorities, and attacks science, will drag us even further back in the battle to avoid the scariest impacts of climate change.
Despite wide-reaching criticism of the bill's schedule — from environmental groups to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture to Conservation Ontario to the Association of Municipalities — the government has doubled down, further expanding ministerial powers and overriding the function of conservation authorities.

The Ontario NDP stands behind groups challenging this government in court on its attempt to circumvent the planning process, environmental protections, and public consultation.
An Ontario NDP government commits to reversing these changes in 2022, and to ensuring Ontarians are protected from the worst impacts of climate change."