October 30, 2003
For Immediate Release

The Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment (CONE) has been monitoring decisions made by the NEC - the provincial agency responsible for controlling development on the Niagara Escarpment - since 1978.

"This report card is based on whether the Commissioner is adhering to the long-standing provincial policies of the Niagara Escarpment Plan in the votes that they make," said Jason Thorne, Executive Director of CONE.

According to CONE, Lang is one of the most consistent supporters of the Niagara Escarpment Plan on the Commission and an ardent champion of Escarpment protection.

"We know that protecting the Niagara Escarpment is very important to the residents of Simcoe County," said Thorne. "Mr. Lang does an excellent job representing this viewpoint on the Commission."

Lang's vote was critical in defeating several applications for residential and commercial developments in the Escarpment countryside that would have violated the Niagara Escarpment Plan. He also voted against major controversial proposals involving quarries and the spreading of sewage sludge on the Escarpment, even though several of his fellow appointees voted to set aside the Plan in approving them.

But, CONE is quick to point out, Lang is not "anti-development."

"Mr. Lang voted to approve over 95% of the development applications that came before the Commission, but that's appropriate because those applications met the provisions of the Niagara Escarpment Plan," said Thorne. "What separates Mr. Lang from some of his colleagues is that he knows when to say 'no.' "

CONE's report card graded each of the eight Commissioners who were appointed by the provincial Cabinet to represent the municipalities that the Escarpment crosses. The report card did not provide grades for the nine public-at-large appointees. A report card including grades for all 17 Commissioners is slated for release in January 2004.

Lang was the only municipal member on the NEC to be awarded a grade of 'A+'. Two others were awarded 'A' grades - the representatives for Peel Region and Dufferin County. 'F' grades were handed to the representatives of Grey County, Bruce County and Halton Region. Hamilton's representative received a 'C' and Niagara's representative received a 'D+'. The grades are based on voting records for 17 significant development cases that went before the NEC between April 2000 and October 2003.

"If we had just a few more Ian Langs as Commissioners, we could rest assured that the Escarpment would be well protected," said Thorne.

Jason Thorne, Executive Director
Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment
P: (519) 853-4955
Cell: (416) 892-4861