Latest news with #Hwang
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Korea Herald
Hwang Sun-woo finishes 4th in men's 200m freestyle at swimming worlds
South Korean swimmer Hwang Sun-woo finished fourth in the men's 200-meter freestyle at the world championships in Singapore on Tuesday, coming up short of his fourth consecutive medal in his main event. Hwang hit the pad in 1:44.72 to miss out on the podium at the World Aquatics Championships at the World Aquatics Championships Arena in Singapore. David Popovici of Romania, the 2022 champ, won his second career world title in 1:43.53, and Luke Hobson of the United States took the silver in 1:43.84. Tatsuya Murasa, an 18-year-old from Japan, beat Hwang for the bronze medal by clocking 1:44.54. Hwang, swimming in Lane 5 as the second-fastest qualifier from the semifinals, had the second-fastest reaction time with 0.62 second, just behind Murasa's 0.60. At the halfway point, Hobson was in the lead at 50.07 seconds, followed by Popovici (50.58) and Hwang (50.76). Murasa, who touched the 100m mark in 51.07 seconds, moved ahead of Hwang at the 150m mark and then covered the final 50m in 26.66 seconds to hold off the South Korean by 0.18 at the end. Hwang came home in 26.83 seconds, but his split for the 100m-150m stretch was even worse at 27.13 seconds -- the second-slowest time among the eight finalists. Hwang arrived in Singapore as the only South Korean swimmer to win an individual medal at three consecutive world championships, and that streak ended Tuesday. Hwang won the 200m freestyle silver in 2022 in Budapest and followed that up with bronze in the same event a year later in Fukuoka, Japan. Last year, Hwang soared to his first career world title in Doha but failed to defend that crown Tuesday. Hwang was seeking a measure of personal redemption in Singapore. This is Hwang's first international competition since he missed out on the 200m freestyle final at the Paris Olympics last summer. As the reigning world champion, Hwang went into Paris as a strong medal contender in the 200m freestyle, but he crashed out of the semifinals. Hwang will now join Kim Woo-min, Lee Ho-joon and Kim Young-beom in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay Friday. Hwang, Lee, Kim Woo-min and Yang Jae-hoon won silver in this relay event last year for South Korea's first-ever world championships medal in a relay. (Yonhap)
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- General
- Toronto Sun
Neighbours accuse Toronto builder of gaming system to uproot beloved tree for parking pad
Published Jul 26, 2025 • 4 minute read A tree stump and chopped up branches are shown after a tree was removed from a property in Toronto, in this undated handout photo. Photo by Handout / THE CANADIAN PRESS The big, backyard honey locust had a seating area set up under its canopy and a swing hanging from a sturdy branch. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account It was one of many trees in Leaside, a residential neighborhood northeast of downtown Toronto that is famous for its old growth and green space, but it was special, says Karen Hwang. It was nothing short of an 'oasis' for her neighbour, who liked to entertain in the backyard. It also benefited Hwang's family next door from the time they moved in 34 years ago, supplying fresh air and blocking noise pollution. 'That tree provided, you know, the wonderful shade, the beautiful esthetic,' she recalled in a recent interview. 'It just had so many positive environmental impacts.' Without the city's permission, the beloved giant was recently brought down, in a case that has sparked neighbourhood outrage and calls for change at city hall. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. On the morning of June 26, Hwang said she and her husband were eating breakfast while watching the news when they heard a 'big bang' and their television screen went dark. The couple rushed outside to check what happened, and they saw the tree was being cut down, and a big branch had hit their satellite dish. At the time, developer Modcity was preparing to build a fourplex and garden suite on the property after Hwang's neighbour sold her house. The city confirmed there was no permit to remove the tree before construction began. It said it has launched an investigation. RECOMMENDED VIDEO The Canadian Press made several unsuccessful attempts to reach Modcity for comment, including email inquiries and a visit to a location listed on its website as the company's address. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Privately owned trees with a diameter of 30 cm or more are protected under the city's tree protection bylaw. The diameter of the one removed was closer to 80 cm, according to neighbors. Kim Statham, the city's director of urban forestry, said there was an application to remove a privately owned tree in October, and city staff worked with the builder for five months to revise the multiplex's design to protect the tree. 'The revised tree-friendly multiplex design created a minor variance that was approved by the Committee of Adjustment,' Statham said. 'The honey locust tree was to remain and not be removed.' Rachel Chernos Lin, the councillor representing the area, said the intent was to protect the tree by moving the building's footprint onto the front yard closer to the street. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The developer removed the tree anyway without the city's support. And to add insult to injury, Lin said, the developer applied to place a parking pad where the tree had stood. For community members, the idea of paving a little piece of paradise to put in a parking spot was a bridge too far. 'People feel like (the developer) has really taken advantage of the system and disregarded the rules, and people really care and are very angry about that,' Lin said. Currently, the offence of removing a tree without a permit can carry a fine between $500 and $100,000. It has no impact on permits issued under Ontario's Building Code. The current fine structure is not enough to disincentivize the practice, Lin said. On Thursday, city council adopted a motion Lin proposed that would make tree removal more difficult and add 'additional tools' to protect the city's tree canopy. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The motion requests that the provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing add the tree bylaw as an applicable law for the purposes of issuing building permits. It also suggests repeat offenders be named and shamed publicly. RECOMMENDED VIDEO City staff are expected to report back about progress towards achieving these goals by the end of the year. 'I want to make sure this doesn't happen again,' said Lin. Geoff Kettel, co-president of the Leaside Residents Association, said the builder should not be able to use the revised footprint after taking out the tree that the new design was meant to protect. The supposed compromise allowed the builder to put the multiplex more than two metres closer to the sidewalk, and Kettel said neighbours' bungalows and two-storey homes are now at greater risk of being overshadowed. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'If they destroyed the reason for moving it forward in the first place, there's now no reason to move it forward,' he said. 'People should be obeying the law. They should be doing it right, following the best practices,' he added. 'It's very, very disappointing.' Last week, The Canadian Press visited the construction site, where a concrete foundation had been laid and tree roots were still visible under a pile of soil. Elizabeth Marsden and her friend Ann Aveling walked by the area and stopped to comment on the tree's unfortunate fate. 'It was a beautiful, big red locust and there are not many red locusts,' said Marsden who has lived in the neighborhood for four decades. 'It was just a lovely tree,' she said. 'I was angry. How dare they?' She said she thinks the fines given to builders for such violations are 'peanuts,' and there needs to be better enforcement. Aveling said the uprooting was 'totally unnecessary' and it made her feel sad, especially as the life cycle of many other trees in the neighbourhood is coming to a natural end. 'What drew us to Leaside 40 years ago was the trees, the tree canopy, and you'd have these beautiful shaded streets,' she said. 'Which of course we're now losing.' Columnists Toronto & GTA Columnists Sunshine Girls Columnists
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Fatty liver symptoms to watch before it turns cancerous: Who's most at risk and what lifestyle changes can help
Synopsis Fatty liver disease, now medically known as MASLD, is becoming more common, especially among people who are overweight, diabetic, or have metabolic syndrome. Though often symptomless in its early stages, it can progress to MASH—a more severe form involving liver inflammation and damage—which significantly increases the risk of liver cancer. Experts highlight that early detection and lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly can help reverse the condition before it becomes life-threatening. Rising Cases of Fatty Liver Disease Linked to Cancer Risk Fatty liver disease, now referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is becoming increasingly common, particularly among individuals who are overweight, diabetic, or living with metabolic syndrome. While early stages of the condition might not cause any visible symptoms, health experts caution that without timely intervention, it can advance into a more serious condition called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which significantly heightens the risk of liver to the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, MASH can lead to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis—each a known precursor to hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer. Though the disease can remain silent in its early stages, regular screening and lifestyle changes can help prevent long-term complications. MASLD involves the accumulation of fat in the liver in people who consume little or no alcohol. While MASLD itself may not be immediately dangerous, around 25% of affected individuals may develop MASH. This progression brings inflammation and damage to liver cells, eventually causing fibrosis (scarring) and possibly cirrhosis. Internal medicine specialist Dr. Jessica Hwang explains that once fibrosis has developed, the damage is difficult to reverse and increases cancer risk due to long-term cellular injury and makes this disease particularly risky is that even those without cirrhosis may still face elevated cancer risk if they have MASH, as chronic inflammation remains a driver of cellular changes in the groups of people are more susceptible to MASLD and its complications: Individuals who are overweight or obese, especially with abdominal fat Those with type 2 diabetes People with high cholesterol or triglycerides Individuals with high blood pressure Those with metabolic syndrome, defined by a combination of obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels People with a family history of liver disease According to Dr. Hwang, the presence of these conditions not only raises the risk of MASLD but also increases the likelihood of progression to MASH and liver cancer. Fatty liver disease is often termed a 'silent' condition. Most people experience no noticeable symptoms until the disease becomes advanced. However, there are some potential warning signs, such as: Ongoing fatigue Discomfort or pain in the upper right abdomen Elevated liver enzymes seen in routine blood tests Enlarged liver visible through imaging Unexplained weight loss in more advanced cases Because symptoms can be minimal or entirely absent, early detection through blood tests, ultrasounds, or MRIs is especially important for people with risk emphasize that the condition is not only preventable but often reversible if caught early. Key preventive measures include: Maintaining a healthy weight: Losing just 5–10% of body weight can improve liver health. Losing just 5–10% of body weight can improve liver health. Eating a balanced diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and lean proteins helps reduce fat buildup in the liver. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and lean proteins helps reduce fat buildup in the liver. Exercising regularly: At least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of intense exercise weekly is recommended. At least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of intense exercise weekly is recommended. Improving sleep quality: Poor sleep can increase insulin resistance and weight gain, worsening liver health. Poor sleep can increase insulin resistance and weight gain, worsening liver health. Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol: These substances can further damage the liver and heighten cancer risk. These substances can further damage the liver and heighten cancer risk. Managing cholesterol and blood sugar: Through a combination of diet, medication, and physical activity. Hydration and routine check-ups are also vital. If you belong to a high-risk group or have symptoms, speaking with your doctor about liver screening and new treatment options, including certain weight-loss medications, can be liver disease might start off as a minor health issue, but its potential to evolve into MASH and even liver cancer makes early intervention crucial. With rising cases globally, especially among those with poor dietary and exercise habits, the condition is increasingly viewed as a serious health threat. Fortunately, the path to better liver health lies largely in lifestyle choices.
Hamilton Spectator
21-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ford wants to override towns and cities. They're saying no — by the dozens
When Councillor Tammy Hwang attended a recent meeting of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), she expected concern about the Ford government's controversial Bill 5. What she didn't expect was how unanimous — and intense — the reaction would be. 'It was a heated and very raucous conversation among political leaders,' said Hwang, who represents the City of Hamilton and sits on the association's board. The board has 41 members representing Ontario municipalities big and small. 'Every single one of us was very concerned and had significant misgivings about Bill 5.' Speaking to her colleagues at last week's Hamilton planning committee meeting, Hwang said the association's policy team 'heard us loud and clear' and discussions will likely continue at its annual conference in August . 'This is not just a Hamilton thing,' she said. 'The other 444 municipalities share in Hamilton's concerns and misgivings about a lot of these policy changes.' That concern is now boiling over into formal opposition. According to an analysis of municipal meeting minutes from across the province by Canada's National Observer, more than 30 municipalities are passing motions, sending letters and urging federal intervention on Bill 5. From urban centres like Hamilton, Guelph and Kingston, to commuter towns, such as Caledon, Orangeville and Shelburne, to rural and cottage-country communities like Wawa, Trent Lakes, and The Archipelago — and inspired by First Nations opposition — resistance to Bill 5 has become a province-wide movement. Hamilton has been one of the most vocal opponents. The city council passed a motion opposing the legislation and sent letters to five provincial ministers. At the centre of their concerns is the creation of 'Special Economic Zones,' which allow the province to override local planning rules, weaken environmental oversight and undermine Indigenous consultation. The criteria for these exemptions remain vague. 'Hamilton is interested in investment and economic growth,' Hwang told Canada's National Observer. 'But we also have some of the most fertile farmland in the province, and we're trying to build a sustainable city. We just want to make sure growth happens in the right places with respect for the land and community needs.' Hwang said the impact of Special Economic Zones will differ in each municipality and expects more pushback from municipalities as people see how Bill 5 affects their communities. Coun. Craig Cassar, who brought forward the motion in Hamilton, described the bill as 'fundamentally undemocratic.' He warned it could disrupt local efforts to protect biodiversity and conservation, pose risks to endangered species and highlighted the lack of meaningful consultation with First Nations. 'This bill is titled Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, and to me, it evokes the image of a wild beast being unleashed — attacking Indigenous rights, endangered species, ecosystems as a whole, and municipal local democratic rights,' Cassar said. 'So, for once, it's actually an appropriately named bill, but for all the wrong reasons.' Hamilton's concern is also shaped by recent history. The Ford government previously attempted to remove protected Greenbelt land within the city as part of what became the $8.3 billion Greenbelt scandal — an effort to open thousands of acres of conservation land to developers. The decision was later reversed following public outcry and a damning Auditor General's report. Cassar said Hamilton's $1.3 billion agri-business sector could be directly affected by development in Special Economic Zones. 'Once you pave over farmland, it's gone forever.' At a recent rally outside Hamilton City Hall — dubbed 'Kill Bill 5' — hundreds gathered to demand the province reverse course. Similar alarm bells are ringing in Dresden, a small town in Chatham-Kent where residents are fighting a proposed landfill near their community. What pushed them over the edge was the discovery that the project was exempt from environmental assessment under Bill 5. 'We've passed motions, sent letters, attended committee hearings,' reads an email response from the Chatham-Kent mayor's office. But Chatham-Kent isn't stopping there. The city is calling on the federal governmen t to intervene — an escalation that underscores just how powerless municipalities feel under the new law. In a letter, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario also voiced its concerns about Bill 5 and urged the province to consult municipalities before enforcing Special Economic Zones. 'Without limits on how SEZs [Special Economic Zones] are identified, and which bylaws would be exempt, municipalities are concerned that the use of SEZs to bypass local deliberation on proposed projects may not deliver on the promise of supporting economic growth,' the letter reads . 'Instead, SEZs may hinder or prevent these projects from moving forward.' Association president and Westport Mayor Robin Jones said while the organization supports economic development, the process must respect local decision-making. 'We understand the need for the government to support economic projects that are going to move forward provincial priorities,' Jones told Canada's National Observer. 'Our concern is using a special economic zone contrary to municipal bylaws without the support of the municipality.' The Ford government's push to override local planning rules in the name of economic development isn't new. Christina Bouchard, a doctoral candidate and teacher in political studies at the University of Ottawa, who worked in municipal planning for over a decade, said Bill 5 is just the latest but more aggressive in more than 30 planning reforms introduced by the Ford government since 2018. Similar to Bill 5's Special Economic Zones, the government introduced Bill 66 in 2018 with 'open-for-business by-laws,' which would have allowed municipalities to bypass environmental protections , including Greenbelt safeguards, to fast-track development. After strong public and environmental pushback, the government removed the clause . Bouchard said the province keeps using the same method: cut local rules to speed up development. But instead of simplifying the system, repeated changes have created new challenges for municipalities trying to understand and apply land use laws. Bouchard said the Ford government this approach follows a pattern she calls 'governing by crisis.' 'Since he came into office — first the economic crisis, then the real COVID crisis, then the housing crisis and now the tariff crisis — each time, the government uses it as a reason to 'cut red tape,'' Bouchard said. But she suggested this approach doesn't always address the underlying problems. Social issues are complex and relying on a single solution may not deliver the results the government wants. According to Bouchard, many of the environmental protections and planning policies now being weakened were originally introduced in response to past public concerns about sprawl, gridlock, and the loss of farmland and green space. She said cutting these policies without careful review risks undoing progress made over the past two decades. She also warned that many people may not understand Bill 5's full impact until projects start in their communities. That's when concern and opposition are likely to grow — especially in areas where development could harm drinking water, farmland or local infrastructure. But at that point, it may be too late. Bouchard said not all communities will be equally equipped to push back. Municipalities with fewer resources may struggle to defend their interests if they're bypassed by provincial decisions, raising serious equity concerns in how the bill's impacts are felt across Ontario. Canada's National Observer reached out to Premier Doug Ford's office and the provincial minister of energy for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication. By Abdul Matin Sarfraz & Rory White Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. 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National Observer
21-07-2025
- Politics
- National Observer
Municipalities' pushback grows against Ford's council-overriding Bill 5
When Councillor Tammy Hwang attended a recent meeting of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), she expected concern about the Ford government's controversial Bill 5. What she didn't expect was how unanimous — and intense — the reaction would be. 'It was a heated and very raucous conversation among political leaders,' said Hwang, who represents the City of Hamilton and sits on the association's board. The board has 41 members representing Ontario municipalities big and small. 'Every single one of us was very concerned and had significant misgivings about Bill 5.' Speaking to her colleagues at last week's Hamilton planning committee meeting, Hwang said the association's policy team 'heard us loud and clear' and discussions will likely continue at its annual conference in August. 'This is not just a Hamilton thing,' she said. 'The other 444 municipalities share in Hamilton's concerns and misgivings about a lot of these policy changes.' That concern is now boiling over into formal opposition. According to an analysis of municipal meeting minutes from across the province by Canada's National Observer, more than 30 municipalities are passing motions, sending letters and urging federal intervention on Bill 5. From urban centres like Hamilton, Guelph and Kingston, to commuter towns, such as Caledon, Orangeville and Shelburne, to rural and cottage-country communities like Wawa, Trent Lakes, and The Archipelago — and inspired by First Nations opposition — resistance to Bill 5 has become a province-wide movement. Hamilton has been one of the most vocal opponents. The city council passed a motion opposing the legislation and sent letters to five provincial ministers. According to an analysis of municipal meeting minutes from across the province by Canada's National Observer, more than 30 municipalities are passing motions, sending letters and urging federal intervention on Bill 5. At the centre of their concerns is the creation of 'Special Economic Zones,' which allow the province to override local planning rules, weaken environmental oversight and undermine Indigenous consultation. The criteria for these exemptions remain vague. 'Hamilton is interested in investment and economic growth,' Hwang told Canada's National Observer. 'But we also have some of the most fertile farmland in the province, and we're trying to build a sustainable city. We just want to make sure growth happens in the right places with respect for the land and community needs.' Hwang said the impact of Special Economic Zones will differ in each municipality and expects more pushback from municipalities as people see how Bill 5 affects their communities. Coun. Craig Cassar, who brought forward the motion in Hamilton, described the bill as 'fundamentally undemocratic.' He warned it could disrupt local efforts to protect biodiversity and conservation, pose risks to endangered species and highlighted the lack of meaningful consultation with First Nations. 'This bill is titled Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, and to me, it evokes the image of a wild beast being unleashed — attacking Indigenous rights, endangered species, ecosystems as a whole, and municipal local democratic rights,' Cassar said. 'So, for once, it's actually an appropriately named bill, but for all the wrong reasons.' Echoes of Greenbelt scandal Hamilton's concern is also shaped by recent history. The Ford government previously attempted to remove protected Greenbelt land within the city as part of what became the $8.3 billion Greenbelt scandal — an effort to open thousands of acres of conservation land to developers. The decision was later reversed following public outcry and a damning Auditor General's report. Cassar said Hamilton's $1.3 billion agri-business sector could be directly affected by development in Special Economic Zones. 'Once you pave over farmland, it's gone forever.' At a recent rally outside Hamilton City Hall — dubbed 'Kill Bill 5' — hundreds gathered to demand the province reverse course. Similar alarm bells are ringing in Dresden, a small town in Chatham-Kent where residents are fighting a proposed landfill near their community. What pushed them over the edge was the discovery that the project was exempt from environmental assessment under Bill 5. 'We've passed motions, sent letters, attended committee hearings,' reads an email response from the Chatham-Kent mayor's office. But Chatham-Kent isn't stopping there. The city is calling on the federal governmen t to intervene — an escalation that underscores just how powerless municipalities feel under the new law. In a letter, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario also voiced its concerns about Bill 5 and urged the province to consult municipalities before enforcing Special Economic Zones. 'Without limits on how SEZs [Special Economic Zones] are identified, and which bylaws would be exempt, municipalities are concerned that the use of SEZs to bypass local deliberation on proposed projects may not deliver on the promise of supporting economic growth,' the letter reads. 'Instead, SEZs may hinder or prevent these projects from moving forward.' Association president and Westport Mayor Robin Jones said while the organization supports economic development, the process must respect local decision-making. 'We understand the need for the government to support economic projects that are going to move forward provincial priorities,' Jones told Canada's National Observer. 'Our concern is using a special economic zone contrary to municipal bylaws without the support of the municipality.' A pattern of planning rollbacks and Ford governs by crisis The Ford government's push to override local planning rules in the name of economic development isn't new. Christina Bouchard, a doctoral candidate and teacher in political studies at the University of Ottawa, who worked in municipal planning for over a decade, said Bill 5 is just the latest but more aggressive in more than 30 planning reforms introduced by the Ford government since 2018. Similar to Bill 5's Special Economic Zones, the government introduced Bill 66 in 2018 with 'open-for-business by-laws,' which would have allowed municipalities to bypass environmental protections, including Greenbelt safeguards, to fast-track development. After strong public and environmental pushback, the government removed the clause. Bouchard said the province keeps using the same method: cut local rules to speed up development. But instead of simplifying the system, repeated changes have created new challenges for municipalities trying to understand and apply land use laws. Bouchard said the Ford government this approach follows a pattern she calls 'governing by crisis.' 'Since he came into office — first the economic crisis, then the real COVID crisis, then the housing crisis and now the tariff crisis — each time, the government uses it as a reason to 'cut red tape,'' Bouchard said. But she suggested this approach doesn't always address the underlying problems. Social issues are complex and relying on a single solution may not deliver the results the government wants. According to Bouchard, many of the environmental protections and planning policies now being weakened were originally introduced in response to past public concerns about sprawl, gridlock, and the loss of farmland and green space. She said cutting these policies without careful review risks undoing progress made over the past two decades. She also warned that many people may not understand Bill 5's full impact until projects start in their communities. That's when concern and opposition are likely to grow — especially in areas where development could harm drinking water, farmland or local infrastructure. But at that point, it may be too late. Bouchard said not all communities will be equally equipped to push back. Municipalities with fewer resources may struggle to defend their interests if they're bypassed by provincial decisions, raising serious equity concerns in how the bill's impacts are felt across Ontario.
