“In our 2023 annual audit, we found that the government did not follow the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 (EBR Act) when it made sweeping changes to the Province’s land use and housing framework and removed lands from the Greenbelt.”
A News Release from the Office of the Ontario Auditor General
Posted December 6th, 2023 on Niagara At Large
TORONTO – The government made significant changes to energy, land-use planning and housing policies without meaningful consultation, undermining Ontarians’ ability to participate in decisions that can impact the environment, Acting Auditor General Nick Stavropoulos said this December 6th, 2023.
“We have seen some improvements over the past five years, but ministries must do more to ensure members of the public can effectively exercise their right to participate in environmentally significant decisions.”
In our 2023 annual audit, we found that the government did not follow the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 (EBR Act) when it made sweeping changes to the Province’s land use and housing framework and removed lands from the Greenbelt.
Acting Ontario Auditor General Nick Stavropoulos
The government, led by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, made these changes to increase housing supply without adequate public consultation. Three ministries — Municipal Affairs and Housing; Environment, Conservation and Parks; and Natural Resources and Forestry — did not give the public complete information about the proposed changes.
As well, the limited time provided for comments did not allow newly elected municipal councils to effectively participate, or the ministries to consider all the comments they received.
Our audit also found that the Ministry of Energy failed to consult the people of Ontario before making decisions about a new clean energy plan and changes to the framework for electricity conservation programs.
Despite our Office’s past recommendations, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has not added any more ministries or laws to the list of those that are subject to the EBR Act, nor taken steps to enable public consultation before environmentally significant Minister’s Zoning Orders are issued under the Planning Act.
“It’s critical that ministries meet their obligations under the Environmental Bill of Rights and take the necessary steps to provide Ontarians with information needed to effectively participate in consultations regarding decisions that affect the environment,” said Stavropoulos.
To read the report, click on – https://auditor.on.ca/en/content/annualreports/arbyyear/ar2023.html
Here Is A Response to the Ontario Auditor General’s Report from NDP Official Opposition Leader Marit Stiles
QUEEN’S PARK – Marit Stiles released the following statement as the AG report paints a picture of a corrupt Conservative government.
Ontario NDP Official Opposition Leader Marit Stiles
QUEEN’S PARK – Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition, released the following statement as the Auditor General (AG)’s report paints a picture of a corrupt Conservative government making one poor decision after another:
“This is a Conservative government lurching from one terrible decision to another, with complete disregard for the consequences. They don’t have a plan to help people who are really struggling right now.
From women seeking maternal health care in Northern Ontario, to municipalities reeling to keep up with knee-jerk major changes, to kids and families visiting the Science Centre, this government thinks they don’t need to consult with anyone, as long as it makes their own wealthy insiders even richer.
We’ve seen three major policy reversals in a matter of weeks, and more are coming down the pike. This has been a year wasted from Conservative negligence. The people of Ontario can’t afford another year of this.
Ontario deserves a Premier who will listen to people. Who will put people first. Your Ontario NDP are working every day to make that happen.”
QUICK FACTS
- ER closures: between July 2022 and June 2023, there were 203 unplanned ER closures. Patient wait times to see a doctor have increased to two hours over the past decade
- Ontario Science Centre: key stakeholders were not consulted on the Science Centre move, and the decision was made based on ‘incomplete’ and insufficient information, driven by the need to justify a publicly-funded parking garage for a private luxury spa company
- Northern Healthcare: 10 Northern hospitals closed their obstetrics services between July 2022-Sept 2023. 4 remain closed and three were closed for more than a year.
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.
“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders
Niagara At Large 
It appears the former Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk has taught the new acting AG Nick Stavropoulos well. Let’s hope Mr. Stavropoulos continues in her footsteps. – Comment by Robert Milenkoff
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