Overall this proposal is…

Overall this proposal is very concerning and it seems the long term impacts aren't well thought out.
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.

By removing the MCEA, the province would remove the current regulations that trigger archaeological assessment in advance of these development projects. In revoking the MCEA, then, the question becomes, how will municipalities ensure they are meeting their obligations under the Ontario Heritage Act?