Ecology Ottawa made a written submission on the environmental threats posed by Bill 23 and as members of the Peoples Official Plan, we also made a collective submission addressing the affordability, livability and democratic threats posed by Bill 23. Further, you can see Ecology Ottawa's written submission on the anti-democratic "strong mayors" Bill 39 here.
We also co-hosted a rally with ACORN, Horizon Ottawa and others on 7 December 2022 at the Provincial Courthouse as public consultation on some aspects of the legislation is still open. You can see our Executive Director Alice Irene speaking here:
Ecology Ottawa speaks out against Bill 23
Ottawa Councillor Shawn Menard speaks out against Provincial Corruption
Here you can see the full speeches of Alice Irene and the Ottawa City Councillors.
Some of our friends in the Peoples Official Plan have made this rallying cry (based on My Favourite Things from the Sound of Music) it's sure to have you singing all day!
Local advocacy groups are also launching “Give A Bang!” campaign against Bills 23 and 39, with residents of Ottawa being asked to bang pots and pans at home, the office and in the streets in a time-honoured tradition of protest, starting on Thursdays at 6:00 pm, beginning December 15. The noise raised will demonstrate citizen opposition to two provincial pieces of legislation. The bills compromise municipal councils’ ability to make decisions for their communities on planning and development, affordable housing and environmental protection.
For Paul Johanis, chair of Greenspace Alliance of Canada’s Capital, making a ruckus over the Ford government’s highhanded legislation is necessary. “Ontario Bill 23 is a disaster for environmental protections. It is using ‘building more homes faster’ as cover for a coordinated attack on wetlands and greenspaces. There is still time to submit comments but it's really time to make noise.”
We continue to urge you to contact your MPP - especially if they are Progressive Conservative and might hold sway in Queen’s Park. Write an email, call their office, arrange a visit. Every constituent they hear from on this matter might help stop this.