To the editor,
There is a simmering anger in Ontario against Bill 23 and Bill 39. It is hoped that Premier Doug Ford and his backroom handlers will rescind these draconian bills before the simmering anger turns into an outburst of provincial rage.
Bill 23 sent a huge wrecking ball to the natural world, to democracy in the province’s 444 municipalities, to the much-needed contribution of Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities to municipal planning and to the hope for affordable housing in Ontario.
Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, is touted by Ford as a way to build much-needed affordable housing. However, critics claim that Ford’s plans would provide homes in the $800,000-plus range, thereby creating massive subdivisions, served by polluting super highways, which in turn are created by paving over thousands of acres of Ontario’s irreplaceable, prime farmland. Such plans cater to the needs of the middle class, at the same time reducing the chances of creating affordable housing within the green and brown spaces available in Ontario’s towns and cities.
At a recent rally, 80 protesters – a most impressive turnout on such a cold day – gathered in Blyth outside MPP Lisa Thompson’s office to protest Bill 23. Province-wide momentum is gathering to oppose the destruction of Ontario’s prime farmlands, forests and wetlands and also to oppose the lack of a plan in Bill 23 to provide desperately-needed affordable housing in, not outside of, Ontario’s towns and cities. Urban planners assure us that land for affordable housing is available within the boundaries of Ontario’s towns and cities.
As a result of Bill 23, a province-wide organization, Alliance for a Livable Ontario, is being created to address the dangers of Bill 23 and other bills created by Ford. In the few weeks that the alliance has been in existence, over 70 concerned organizations have joined the alliance. Several environmental and social justice organizations in Huron-Perth are considering joining the alliance.
Ford’s Bill 39, the Better Municipal Governance Act, is strongly opposed by municipalities. Bill 39 allows all mayors in Ontario to pass legislation with only one-third of councillors being in favour. This applies to any article of proposed legislation. Bill 39 clearly undermines the democratic process in Ontario’s municipalities. According to Marcus Ryan, Warden of Oxford County, “Bill 39 is absolutely undemocratic and counterproductive to resident participation in their governments and people running for councils, and to their voice and in their democracy.”
In the interest of maintaining democracy in Ontario, along with maintaining the health and well-being of all Ontario’s residents and the natural world on which we all depend, it is vitally important that the above bills be either withdrawn or seriously amended.
Jim Hollingworth
Goderich
