Andy - Nice Post!
The Annex Residents' Association has taken a stand against "the socially unethical, environmentally reckless, and democratically injurious Bill 23", and is asking people to make submissions to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy...
Here's an excerpt from their recent new-letter:
Timing is crucial
The Bill has been tabled at the most cynical of junctures – not only under cover of the education support workers’ contentious job action, but also in an official municipal vacuum. It was only yesterday that Ontario’s newly elected town and city councils were formally installed. And yet tomorrow is the last day available for citizens or interest groups or even entire municipalities to formally register their objections to the bill.
So we repeat the urgent question – have you sent a message yet?
What to Say
Perhaps you hesitated because you thought your words would have no impact. But that’s not the case. Your message will be posted online as part of the public record. It will add to the mountain of responses that are pouring in. And if the avalanche of negativity is sufficiently overwhelming, that may well make the government give pause.
That’s the outcome hoped for by three former Toronto mayors in their joint opinion piece posted in last Monday’s Star. You can read their arguments by clicking here. We’ve also posted the official ARA letter for you to read. And for a refresher on the basic issues, why not re-read last week’s newsletter? There's lots there to ponder.
How to Submit
Having passed the first two readings in the House, the Bill has now been referred to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy. To send a message to that committee, you should start by clicking on this link.