This week, Council deliberated on several matters including my Motion regarding Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018. This proposed legislation is of great concern as the proposed changes to the Planning Act contained within Bill 66 would allow municipalities to pass “open for business” planning bylaws that would bypass important environmental legislation such as the Greenbelt Act, Clean Water Act as well as the Official Plan and applicable Zoning . I have made clear that I would not be in favour of creating an “Open for Business” bylaw and I am glad that Council shared my opinion. While we in Aurora are always looking at ways in which we can bring new employment to the Town and Region, but not at the expense of the environment or the safety of our residents. Council made a unanimous decision to approve my motion to send the Provincial government a message that Aurora opposes the proposed changes to the Planning act within Bill 66 .
Our motion will be sent to not only all MPP’s but to every municipality in Ontario as a well as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Just as we did when we worked towards the successful reform of the OMB, by working with all elected officials across the Province we can achieve positive results and ensure that our environment is protected now and in the future.
I will be meeting with both of our MPP’s – MPP Michael Parsa and Deputy Premier Christine Elliot – to discuss this issue and make clear the opposition that we as a community have with Bill 66.
6 Responses
Thank you Mayor , and Council, for this forward-thinking and environmentally responsible initiative.
E.L. Springolo
Thank you for your update on the Highland Gate project…much appreciated!
Sue & Roy Bradshaw
I am so grateful that you and Aurora council took the educated move to oppose bill 66 which threatens the environment and supports the move of the provincial government to maintain legislation already put in place for our protection. Bravo!
Bravo! Thank you Aurora council for standing up for our environment and to push back on the government to uphold the polices and legislation which were created to protect these valuable resources – our water, greenbelt, food and air. Not everything is for sale.
Sounds Very good! I join E.L. Springolo’s thanks for this forward-thinking and environmentally responsible initiative by our Mayor and Council. I’m so glad to learn that Aurora has taken a strong stance on Bill 66 and I appreciate that you will be meeting with our MPP and the Deputy Premier to let them know of our opposition. What a great way to head into 2019!
Thank you very much
Kathryn Lloyd
Thanks Aurora Council for taking leadership against Bill 66. It is much appreciated.