As the comment period for Bill 97 concludes on June 5th, West Elgin Council was unable to provide their comments. However, Councillor Navackas spoke to Bill 97 and encouraged fellow Councillors and our community members to voice their opinions to our MPP Rob Flack. Councillor Navackas continued with the following comments. Bill 97, under the guise of building more houses, would allow for multi-lot residential development on rural land and severances on agricultural land for residential lots. If the policy is approved, potentially up to 171,000 severances could happen across the province. Locally, for example, West Elgin could see an additional 30 houses constructed on Thomson Line between Furnival Road and Kerr Road. The ramifications of this would be felt across the municipality. This also puts prime agricultural land at risk. Bill 97, like many this government has introduced is vague, leaving many to wonder what control local municipal planners may have. It also removes the opportunity for neighbouring farm owners to voice opposition if their next-door neighbour does decide to move forward. Councillor Navackas strongly suggests that members of this community take the time to read through the many articles, voices of opposition as well as Bill 97. Councillor Navackas concluded that she is gravely concerned about the effects Bill 97, along with Bill 23, will have on the Municipality of West Elgin.