Conservative MPP Joseph Racinsky's Statement on Bill 5

“In light of tariffs from the United States and growing economic uncertainty, it has never been more important for Ontario to remain competitive in the global race to attract and maintain job-creating investments. We are facing a once-in-a-generation crisis and the competition to land investments is going to be unlike anything we have ever seen before. If projects are going to take ten years to get shovels in the ground because of redundant regulatory and approval processes, Ontario will lose out on billions of dollars of new investment to other jurisdictions. With Bill 5, we are going to cut unnecessary red tape; speed up the permitting and approval process; and make it easier for companies to get shovels in the ground so that they can create more good-paying jobs across the province.

Under the current Endangered Species Act, the process to obtain a permit is slow and complex, causing unnecessary delays and costs for housing, transit, and critical infrastructure. Local examples of this include the Prince street reconstruction as well as the Glen Williams Bridge rehabilitation. The Government is proposing though Bill 5 to replace the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment with a time-limited, streamlined process for lower-impact municipal projects, such as roads, which will reduce unnecessary delays and administrative burdens. Bill 5 includes stronger inspection and investigation powers, allowing officers to inspect project sites without warrant and issue compliance orders. Serious violators may face hefty fines and imprisonment. These measures will ensure zero tolerance for non-compliance. Through this improved process we will be able to reduce unnecessary delays, while still ensuring that species at risk are protected.

Joseph Racinsky

MPP – Wellington-Halton Hills”