Thread by @keithdbrooks

There once was a powerful premier, who was in love with a beautiful developer. What that developer wanted more than anything was to build a warehouse on a provincially significant wetland. #onpoli #YoursToProtect #MZO

The premier cared not for the wetland, and loved the developer so, that he used a special power to try and grant the developer’s wish. cbc.ca/news/canada/to…

The people of the land were outraged, and they rose up.

“Protect our wetland,” they cried. “Protect the birds, the fish, and animals. Put the warehouse somewhere else.”

But the premier cared only about his promise to grant the developers wish.

“The warehouse will be built!” the premier insisted.

What neither the premier nor the beautiful developer realized, however, was that the premier didn’t have all the power he needed to make the developers' wish come true.

The developer would also need the blessing of the local conservation authority, whose job it was to serve as the protector of the watercourses and wetlands, and the guardian against flooding.

And so the premier and his loyal servant, the Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing, went to the conservation authority, and beseeched them for their approval. They offered to create another wetland somewhere else. They offered money. They offered the sun, the moon, the stars.

But the conservation authority, who took its job seriously, said no.

“This wetland is too important. We shall not permit its destruction.” cbc.ca/news/canada/to…

This angered the premier greatly, and he called a meeting with all his loyal disciples.

“Give me the power to grant my beloved developer’s wishes!” he commanded.

And the ministers and their staffers thought, and thought, and thought.

And then they had an idea!

“Premier, we have an answer. We can simply take away the conservation authorities’ powers. We’ll make it impossible for them to say no, by law!”

So delighted with this idea, the premier swiftly shoehorned the plan into an omnibus bill. And the premier, having governed for more than two years, knew how to force the change though quickly – come hell or high water. globalnews.ca/news/7505677/f…

Again, the citizens of the land rose up. Thousands upon thousands spoke out. They called their elected officials. They shouted from the rooftops “Please, premier, don’t do this. #RemoveSchedule6! @Removeschedule6 !”

The local first nations, whose ancestors have sought to protect the wetlands for hundreds of years, also spoke out. They said that the development was a blow to reconciliation. @MSIFN

https://twitter.com/MSIFN/status/1328768488962461696?s=20

Members of the nobility spoke out too – some even disavowing their relationship with the premier, and resigning from their roles as advisors and counsel to the premier. cbc.ca/news/canada/to…

For they knew, as everyone knew, that this wasn’t just about the one development, but about other developments too – and about the protection of rivers and streams and wetlands across the entire kingdom. Indeed, it was about the very soul of the kingdom.

So loud was the outcry that the premier could not ignore it. He worried for his fortunes should he carry through. He feared a revolt. He almost changed his mind.

But he loved his developer so, and had made a promise to them, a promise he vowed to keep.

And so the law was passed, and it appeared as though the warehouse would go forward. theglobeandmail.com/canada/article…

And the premier rejoiced. The developer rejoiced too. And they toasted to their success – their bond, now closer than ever.

The people were truly dismayed. So upset were they with what their premier had done.

But they continued to protest. They continued to fight. tvo.org/article/poster…

They visited the wetland, and they even stood in the way of the developers’ men, who wished to get work started on the site. durhamregion.com/news-story/103…

The developer applied for a permit to build the warehouse. And they began their advance.

It looked hopeless, until it came to light that there was another law that the people could use to stop the development and save the wetland! It turned out that the premier’s law was not consistent with a prior law that prohibited development on wetlands.

And so a judicial review was commenced. The review looked strong, and the people poised to win and triumph over the premier. environmentaldefence.ca/2021/02/08/goi…

But the premier's resolve was strong.

He consulted his wisest sages, and devised yet another plan. He would change yet another law, tripling down, in a true show of affection for his beloved developer. tvo.org/article/how-st…

The people were outraged. They fought the new law. They gave it all they had.

And you know what happened to that law and that premier?

Neither do I. But we will find out, in due time. #YoursToProtect #onpoli