Tomorrow marks the day that the Ford Government enacts Bill 23, The Gift To Developers Act. It can also rightfully be designated The Environmental Destruction Act, since it will not only fill the already overloaded bank accounts of Ford's wealthy friends, but also deplete the natural reserves we have to battle the ever-increasing pace of climate change.
Of course, Conservatives have never been known for their long-range planning capacity.
Nor has this government for the people ever been known for listening to the people. Nonetheless, protests continue, one hopes a cogent reminder that some people have long memories. Here is a clip from one of the protests conducted yesterday:
I suspect the Ford cabal is sadly mistaken that people will return to their usual quiescence once the bill is passed. Too much is at stake environmentally; add to that cost the much higher taxes ratepayers will have to pay since the bill also greatly reduces the fees developers must pay for the infrastructure needed in their sprawling developments. Indeed, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario estimates the bill could leave communities short $5 billion and see taxpayers footing the bill, either in the form of higher property taxes or service cuts.
Like the bully he is, Doug Ford thinks he can imperiously sweep aside opposition by legislative fiat. Yet he is grossly underestimating the popular opposition Bill 23 has provoked. He is also underestimating the power municipalities have in either stopping or greatly slowing down his sprawling vision. As I recently wrote about what some on the newly elected Hamilton city council are contemplating:
Simply deny the budgeting funds needed to pay for the costly infrastructure that new, far-flung development entails. It is difficult to see how the Ford cabal could counteract such a measure, unless the premier invoked another notwithstanding clause threat to overturn local democracy.
May the passions and forces coalescing against Ford's heavy-handed rule ultimately prevail.
The poor turnout at Ontario's last election would suggest that the electorate had little interest in provincial politics.
ReplyDeleteTo now cry wolf ! or perhaps Ford! at this stage of the game is a little late if not pathetic.
It is known country wide where Fords interests lay.
To now complain is bit much!!
TB
TB
I don't disagree at all with what you say, TB. The appalling apathy of so many Ontarians is now bearing ugly fruit. But those of us who did vote are deeply aggrieved at what this government is doing.
DeleteIn our local elections a regional district of Nanaimo, BC we had a 14% turnout !!
ReplyDeleteShould anyone complain to me of local government decisions I will find it hard not to become abusive!!
I, too, would find it hard to restrain myself with such a sad statistic, Trailblazer.
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