Further evidence on this government’s assault on the environment: The government has tabled four proposals to further weaken environmental oversight in the permit system for water-taking, waste management and stormwater management. These changes mean the public would lose the right to participate in decisions affecting their health and safety. Worse, public oversight would be off-loaded to the very same private companies seeking the permit.

Just like with the gutting of conservation authorities and the weakening of wetland protections, this government is once again enriching special interests, while putting soil and water at risk.

Will this government ever—ever—listen to the public instead of lobbyists and show that by cancelling these proposals?