Bill 66 is all wrong

Re: Region of Waterloo says no to Bill 66 — Jan. 9

Thinking that opening up the well-established Greenbelt as well as downgrading environmental regulations makes Ontario “open for business” is simplistic, wrong-headed and could be detrimental to the Waterloo Region economy. Since its founding, Waterloo Region has focused on environmental stewardship, cleaning up industrial sites, preventing groundwater contamination and recognition of the importance of the aquifer. Much has been accomplished and, in parallel with a wholesale change in the region’s legacy industrial base, Waterloo Region has arguably the lowest unemployment and strongest economy in the province today. Education and innovation have been the key drivers. Not lax environmental stewardship. One could argue that actively participating in downgrading existing environmental regulations would damage Waterloo Region’s international reputation. James Akeroyd Waterloo