I would like to state my…

I would like to state my concern and disdain regarding the new EA revocation being proposed currently. Not only does it directly impact the ability of to protect the natural heritage of the province to make way for streamlined development, it also puts cultural and archaeological heritage in jeopardy as well. I am not anti-development, but I am if it involves ignoring the regulations we have in place that can ensure development remains ethical. This new proposal of stripping the current regulations not only is disrespectful to the natural environment, potentially destroying critical habitats in the name of speed, but also greatly puts archaeological sites and ancestral burials at risk of disturbance, or destruction. This is unacceptable. The current plan does not provide an acceptable amount of protection and leaves the resulting land vulnerable to unethical treatment - whether accidental or not. This is the entire reason we have Stage One assessments, to ensure that due diligence is practised. Not only does revoking the MCEA stand directly opposed to the standards outlined in the Ontario Heritage Act, but it stands in the face of the TRC Calls to Action, as it would result in First Nations not being as involved in the consultation before, during, and after development projects. Several First Nations have already spoken out about their concerns with this new proposed revocation of the MCEA, and now Unions are being roused as they hear more and more about what is at stake at the cost of pleasing private developers. Natural and cultural heritage is not a reusable resource, it is either there and protected, or it isn't there any longer. It requires planning, research, care, consultation mitigation, or controlled excavation (in the event of archaeological heritage) and there are many professionals within the province and country that gladly do that work, to ensure that its still present for future generations - or else protected and secure for the future. This is a small benefit to the few and elite, once again for profit at the expense of permanent loss of History and in direct conflict with the requests of the First Nations, on whose land these proposed developments will be built. These regulations were put in place for a reason, and to revoke them for the ease and convenience of the few at the cost of many is reprehensible and an obvious instance of friends in high places getting a pass from their political friend.