This proposal is another…

This proposal is another instance of political insiderism that is deleterious to the public interest. This proposed revision is clearly intended to cut corners, reduce costs and delays for private developers. What this approach will likely accomplish is the undermining of the Treaty rights of Indigenous communities and the inevitable destruction of irreplaceable cultural heritage. I stand with the Ontario Archaeological Society in refuting that revoking the MCEA and the Private Sector Developers Regulation would remove (as yet uncited) duplicate efforts or streamline Environmental Assessments. Instead, it would remove the framework by which municipalities and private developers currently ensure they meet their legal obligations with relation to the Ontario Heritage Act, the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, and the Duty to Consult and Accommodate Indigenous communities. This proposal, as currently formulated, will contribute to greater uncertainly and more exposure to liability at municipal and provincial levels and puts irreplaceable cultural heritage at unnecessary risk. It is a clear effort to undermine due process to benefit private developers at the expense of all Ontarians in terms of both heritage and fiscal resources, with a disproportionate effect on Indigenous communities.