in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 24 ,2 02 0 | 6 The ManageMenT and STaff aT Oleg'S nO frillS All checkout lanes open Thursday to Sunday 11am - 6pm** *Unless restricted by local by-law **Unless we are unable due to unforeseen technical difficulties. We WiSh yOu a Happy,Healthy NewYear! Thank you for your support. and a STORE HOURS Sunday to Saturday 8am - 9pm Oleg's NoFrills 1395 Abbeywood Drive, Oakville Mega Moving Sale FroM $59.99 to $399 on the Main Floor Jewelry $30 and Up Brand new collectionS FroM 20% to 30% oFF Ti Vesto Boutique will be moving on December 30th, 2020 from Burlington to Ancaster. Follow us on instagram and Facebook for the latest news. 1455 lakeshore road (at the bend off locust St) Burlington 905-631-8338 • www.tivestoboutique.com Sunday by appointment only • Monday closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm The president of Con- servation Halton says he is shocked and disappointed with a last-minute provin- cial decision to amend a section of Bill 229, which he argues will hinder the abil- ity of conservation author- ities to protect the environ- ment. In a Tuesday, Dec. 8 statement, president and CEO Hassaan Basit noted that constructive conver- sations had taken place with Minister of Environ- ment, Conservation and Parks Jeff Yurek to ad- dress recent changes to the Conservation Authorities Act. Basit took issue with these amendments, noting in mid-November that they outlined a process where- by developers and others could go around the con- servation authorities to have permits approved by the province. Conservation Halton (CH) is a community-based environmental agency that protects local ecosys- tems in partnership with its watershed municipali- ties. Part of its work has in- volved the regulation of de- velopment. Basit said discussions with the province fol- lowed, for which he was grateful, noting the open dialogue led to some posi- tive amendments regard- ing planning, enforce- ment, governance, and the ability for CH to continue responsible management of its parks without unnec- essary bureaucratic red tape. The local conserva- tion authority head, how- ever, said he is extremely disappointed to learn of a last-minute amendment and several other changes that were not addressed. "The most egregious ad- ditional amendment pro- hibits conservation au- thorities from denying per- mits for developments if presented with a Minister Zoning Order (MZO) is- sued by the minister of mu- nicipal affairs and hous- ing," said Basit. "This amendment, de- spite the ability to attach conditions to permits, may significantly weaken our ability to make consistent, science-based watershed management decisions in the interest of public health and safety." Basit also took issue with how quickly the amendments were passed on Dec. 8 He said CH will contin- ue to study the legislation in greater detail in the coming days. A spokes- person with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing said following consultations with conser- vation authorities and oth- ers, the government made amendments to provide NEWS CONSERVATION HALTON OPPOSES BILL 229 AMENDMENT SAYS NEW RULES WITH ALLOW DEVELOPERS TO OVERRIDE CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com Nancy Hyatt-Jacobs was among those from Sustainable Milton who showed their support for Ontario's conservation authorities, demonstrating out front of MPP Parm Gill's Main Street constituency office. Graham Paine/Metroland See - page 7