To whom it may concern, I…

To whom it may concern,

I wish to express my extreme concern over the provincial government’s recent proposal to revoke the Municipal Class EA (MCEA) and Private Sector Developers Regulation. This new model does not provide sufficient protection for archaeological heritage and Ancestor burials. Revoking the MCEA would leave archaeological sites, especially within municipalities without an archaeological management plan, vulnerable to disturbance and destruction.

While the danger that this proposal presents to unknown archaeological sites and Ancestor burials is clear, it should be noted, too, that even known archaeological sites would be at risk of impact. Municipalities generally do not have a full list of known archaeological sites at their disposal and are dependent on consultant archaeologists to compile and deliver a Stage 1 report on the archaeological potential of a given project area.

I am greatly concerned by this proposal and the danger it poses to Ontario’s archaeological record. Having worked on numerous archaeological projects initiated under the MCEA process I can tell you if this proposal goes through many archaeological sites will be bulldozed. Is this how we wish to treat our history?

Furthermore, numerous Indigenous nations are speaking out against this proposal as it would reduce consultation with First Nations on development projects, a step that goes against UNDRIP and the TRC Calls to Action.

I strongly oppose the revoking of the Municipal Class EA (MCEA) and Private Sector Developers Regulation.