Conservation Halton Urges Public to Fight Bill 229

By: Laura Steiner

Conservation Halton is looking for help fighting Bill 229: Protect, Support, and Recover from COVID-19 Act.

Schedule six, details changes to  Conservation Authorities Act, and Planning legislation that would see the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry with decision making powers over permit applications, and prohibit appeals.  There are three key changes:

• Remove and/or significantly hinder the conservation authorities’ role in regulating development, permit and planning application appeal process and engaging in review and appeal of municipal planning applications
• Allow the Minister make decisions on permit appeals and issue permits without watershed data and expertise from the conservation authorities
• Redirect the fiduciary role (Duty of Members) for municipally appointed CA Board members. They are being told to make decisions in the best interest of the municipalities and not the conservation authority.

Residents are invited to email Finance Minister Rod Phillips, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark,  Natural Resources and Forestry Minister John Yakabuski,  Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Jeff Yurek, as well as your local MPP.  Email addresses can be found here

Sustainable Milton to Protest at Gill’s Office

Sustainable Milton, a local advocacy group is holding a protest outside Milton MPP Parm Gill’s office Thursday from 4-6pm. The protest will observe all COVID-19 precautions.  Gill’s office is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Main St. and Ontario in the same plaza as the UPS store.

The legislation passed final reading on December 8, 2020.  For more information on Sustainable Milton visit their website