For Immediate Release

"CONE has done an analysis of NEC proceedings and we have found that Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Staff have consistently adopted an ‘approve everything' stance at NEC meetings," argued Jason Thorne, Manager at the Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment (CONE), the organization which released the report. "They don't seem to understand that they are supposed to approve only developments that meet the requirements of the Niagara Escarpment Plan."

The Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) was established in 1973. It is a provincial agency consisting of 17 people appointed by the Ontario Cabinet to implement the Niagara Escarpment Plan, the land use plan which regulates development along the length of the Escarpment from Niagara Falls to Tobermory. Eight NEC members are elected representatives from municipalities within the Plan Area and nine members are citizens representing the public at large.

"Commissioners have been entrusted by the people of Ontario with protecting the Niagara Escarpment and making sure that only developments that are consistent with the Niagara Escarpment Plan are permitted," stated Thorne. "In more and more cases, and despite the best efforts of several of the better Commissioners like Mr. Rainforth, inappropriate developments are getting approved."

As an example, Thorne pointed to a recent application for a farm retirement lot severance in Flamborough. Restrictions on lot severances are intended to control urban sprawl and protect the open rural landscape of the Escarpment. "That application was in clear violation of the Niagara Escarpment Plan, but the NEC voted to allow it anyway," stated Thorne. CONE appealed that decision, a public hearing was held in April, and the matter will ultimately be decided by the Minister of Natural Resources.

CONE's report card is based on the voting records of individual Commissioners on ten key applications which came before the NEC between January 1999 and March 2000. These applications range from large-scale tourism developments to granny flats to lot severances and subdivisions. They comprise a representative sample of the types of applications which regularly come before the Commission. Grades are based on whether CONE finds the Commissioners' vote to be in accordance with the provisions of the Niagara Escarpment Plan.

In addition to Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Staff, six other Commissioners were given ‘F' grades, representing a majority of the NEC.

Among the seven Commissioners receiving grades of ‘A-‘ or better was Commissioner James Rainforth. "Mr. Rainforth is a good example of the type of person we need on the Commission," said Thorne, "He still votes to approve over 95% of applications because they meet the provisions of the Niagara Escarpment Plan, but he also knows when to say 'no'."

CONE released the report card to let the public know how they are being represented at the NEC and to increase the accountability of Commissioners. This is a crucial year for the future composition of the Commission. The terms of five of the nine public-at-large Commissioners, including Mr. Staff and Mr. Rainforth, expire this summer, and the fate of the eight municipal appointees, including Rob Nicholson, could be determined in the November municipal elections.

"The Niagara Escarpment is a unique ecological treasure for our region," said John James, Chair of Friends of the Escarpment in Grimsby, one of the member organizations in CONE, "As citizens, we need to make sure that the Commissioners appointed to protect it do their job properly."

The Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment (CONE) was formed in 1978. It is a coalition of 24 environmental and community groups on the Escarpment and across the province. CONE has worked consistently for the protection of the Escarpment and its many values to Ontario society. CONE was involved in the preparation of the Niagara Escarpment Plan in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and in the five-year review of the Plan in the early 1990s. CONE's activities include monitoring development up and down the Escarpment, educational initiatives to heighten public understanding and appreciation of the Escarpment, participation in government-led studies on Escarpment issues, and regular monitoring of NEC meetings. In 1995, CONE received the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario's conservation award, recognizing excellence in environmental protection and resource conservation.