COVID-19: Ontario's Economic Recovery Act

Bill 197 will give the government sweeping powers when it comes to what gets built where.

It’s called the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020. Bill 197 is an omnibus bill that tweaks 20 pieces of previous legislation. It touches on construction, education, the environment and healthcare. The Bill was passed in the Ontario Legislature this week, but has drawn the ire from many for not having public consultation on those changes and putting too much unilateral power in the hands of Cabinet. For many, the biggest impact will be on the environment as the Environmental Assessment Act is overhauled.

The Ontario Government seem to believe that the construction—and-development-biz will be the province’s saving grace. The Province maintains these changes are needed as infrastructure construction appears to be the focus of the Covid recovery plan for Ontario. This is an omnibus bill which touches on development charges, Community benefit charges, expropriation, and education.

Do you think Ontario's Economic Recovery Act will degrade Ontario's environment? Head on over to unpublished.vote to cast your vote, and email your MP!