Ontario Hansard - 06-October2009

Mr. Peter Tabuns: A question to the Deputy Premier: In his annual report released today, Ontario's Environmental Commissioner says that the province's planning system is "hugely weighted" in favour of the development industry, leading to decisions which harm communities and the environment. To rebalance the playing field, the commissioner calls on this government to prevent developers from threatening citizens groups with lawsuits-SLAPP suits. SLAPP suits deter democratic participation by threatening concerned citizens with bankruptcy. Our party has put forward a private member's bill on this very issue.

Why is the government doing nothing to address this threat to public participation and our environment?

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Greater respect would be shown for the Environmental Commissioner if in fact his recommendations were acted on.

At the Big Bay Point hearings at the OMB, lawyers from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing stood silently while Geranium Corp. sought an unprecedented $3.2 million in costs from Innisfil community members. Then it signed a secret land deal with Geranium to allow a 1,000-slip marina on the Lake Simcoe shore.

The government is clearly on the side of these developers. The minister has said, last week and now, no plans to legislate an end to these intimidating lawsuits directed at citizens. The Environmental Commissioner has spoken. He has made a clear recommendation. Are you going to be acting on it?