The views and opinions expressed in these articles and letters to the editor are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect those of JustSayinCaledon.com, its owner or other authors.
The following letter was sent to JSC for publication by Caledon resident Keirstyn (Keri) Parfitt:
Good afternoon,
Last week the province passed Bill 97, a sweeping bill that included the consolidation of Conservation Authorities which has the great potential to reduce protections to our groundwater drinking sources. In addition, are the Freedom of Information (FOI) changes that will make the Premier and his entire cabinet immune from any requests from the public (the majority of requests are made by individual citizens), backdated to 1988. This will effectively hide communications from the public related to the actions around the Greenbelt development saga and so much more.
There are 5 Cabinet Ministers offices that deal with every single aspect of development and resource management in the province. Those are Minister Rob Flack, Housing and Rural Affairs, Minister Todd McCarthy, Environment Conservation and Parks, Minister Mike Harris, Natural Resources, Minister Stephen Lecce, Energy and Mines and Minister Victor Fedeli, Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. These Ministers have involvement in the development and resource management decisions that directly affect Caledon residents in their daily lives.
There were 22 MPP’s absent from last Thursday’s vote on Bill 97 including every single one of these Cabinet Ministers. On a vote that directly affects how these offices make decisions—through the restructuring of Conservation Authorities—and reduces public transparency by shielding their communications through changes to Freedom of Information rules, it’s important for the public to know that every one of these Ministers was absent. As a result, none of them are on the record as having voted either for or against it.
If you would like to oppose Bill 97, the link is below. Please note that petitions like this will always ask for a platform donation. It is not at all necessary and does not go to a cause specifically, only to amplify the petition.
What is needed right now in this province is YOUR VOICE! Please add it if you are opposed to the changes the province is making with Bill 97 and please feel free to share.
Best,
Keri
