Ontario’s reversal on Bill 66 draws mixed reactions from Richmond Hill

Supportive of the proposed bill, Muench said he was “glad” and “saddened” about Ontario’s decision to remove Schedule 10

YorkRegion.com
January 29, 2019
Sheila Wang

The province’s unexpected decision to back down from a plan that would have allowed local municipalities to open up the Greenbelt for development has drawn mixed reactions from Richmond Hill.

Applauding it as “a perfect outcome,” Ward 4 Coun. David West said he was stunned and thrilled at the same time when he learned that the province will scrap the provisions on the open-for-business bylaw, or Schedule 10, from Bill 66, referred as the Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act.

“It’s too bad that we had to go through this process, but I’m very thankful for many, many citizens that sent me emails and in support of this and told me they had sent their comments to the environmental bill’s website before the deadline.”

West made the comment after Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark announced the reversal in a series of three Twitter posts on Jan. 23, saying the offending portion of Bill 66 will be dropped when the legislature resumes sitting in February.

Critics have warned Schedule 10 may put the 1.8-million acre Greenbelt and valuable farmland at risk as it would have allowed municipalities to bypass a number of building restrictions.

West said he also felt “very disappointed” that Richmond Hill council didn't show the strong leadership as some other York Region municipalities did.

The councillor introduced a motion at the first meeting of the new council last month, asking council to look at the proposed environmental changes in Bill 66 which may pose a potential impact on the green space in Richmond Hill.

It failed to pass as a majority of councillors — Greg Beros, Tom Muench, Carmine Perrelli and Joe DiPaola — voted against the motion. Ward 5 Coun. Karen Cilevitz and Ward 3 Coun. Castro Liu were absent.

Ward 2 Coun. Muench said he believed West’s motion was “too narrow” as it dealt with only one aspect of the bill. He also said council didn't have much opportunity to deliberate on the motion as West didn't bring it up at the committee of the whole meeting.

Supportive of the proposed bill, Muench said he was “glad” and “saddened” about Ontario’s decision to remove Schedule 10. The councillor said he was glad that the province has been listening to various parties but saddened that people did not feel confident in the management of municipalities.

“I would like the province to keep Schedule 10, but I would like them to expand the directives to make it clear that -- unless otherwise changed through certain process -- that they are going to protect the environment.”

Cilevitz, who has been vocal about her opposition to Bill 66, said the announcement was “an amazing result and success,” but she warned that “we must remain vigilant” and ensure the government doesn't attempt to do the same by other means.

Brenda Hogg, former regional councillor in Richmond Hill and one of the initiators of Greenbelt protection, said she will continue to be concerned “with the determination of a very wealthy and powerful lobby group driven by new real estate development across the GTHA."

“The real estate industry first tried to open our environmental laws with a promise of more affordable housing. Then they changed the argument to a need for employment lands. Neither argument is valid. We have the land already zoned and serviced. It’s ready for development now.”