Delivered via E-mail Re: Canadian Environmental Law Association Comments onBill 97 – An Act to amend various statutes with respect to housing and development - Schedules 3 and 6

The importance of protecting sources of drinking water was one of the fundamental recommendations of the Walkerton Inquiry; and the mandatory threat policies apply to the highest priority threats to safe drinking water. [...] These important protections, developed with extensive science and multi- sector and public review by the Source Protection Planning Authorities must not be undermined.2 CELA also submits that this broad discretion of the Minister to declare the non-application of these policies and plans is also contradictory to, and undermines the Purpose of the Act set out in Section 1 of the Planning Act which. [...] Schedule 6 proposes a new Section 49.2 (1) in the Planning Act, setting out requirements for landowners to enter into agreements with the Minister or a Municipality on such matters as the Minister “considers necessary for the development of the land.” The proposed new section provides: 49.2 (1) If the Minister has directed the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator or a Deputy Facilitator app. [...] Additional provisions state that Part III of the Legislation Act (regulations) do not apply to an Order to a landowner to enter into an Agreement with the Minister or a Municipality under the proposed section 49.2 (1) – for example, the requirements for publishing in the Ontario Gazette; filing of the regulation; and right of public to inspect the regulation. [...] Functions (3) The Facilitator shall, at the direction of the Minister, (a) advise and make recommendations to the Minister in respect of growth, land use and other matters, including Provincial interests; and (b) perform such other functions as the Minister may specify.