Our Staff / Phil Pothen
Phil Pothen
Program Manager, Land Use and Ontario Environment & Counsel
Phil is a land use planning and environmental lawyer with a background in landscape ecology, landscape architecture and 10 years of experience advising and representing provincial policy-makers, select small builders, and concerned residents. He joined EDC to advance “big-picture” approaches to problems he has dealt with case-by-case – a comprehensive alternative vision for development and industry that meets people’s needs while preserving Ontario’s natural spaces, farmland and other “greenfields” in perpetuity. Having spent his early summers searching out berries, moose tracks and rabbit burrows in the woods and barrens near his house, he has been pleased to introduce his three children to the many similar pleasures available in Toronto’s own urban ravines.
Read Phil's Posts
Apr 01, 2026
Bill 98 Ignores Efficient Housing and Could Deprive Municipalities of Key Tools
Statement by Phil Pothen, Counsel, and Ontario Environment Program Manager Toronto | Traditional territories of…
Apr 01, 2026
Ontario Hands Responsibility for Endangered Species to the Federal Government
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE, DAVID SUZUKI FOUNDATION, ONTARIO NATURE, WILDERNESS COMMITTEE Toronto | Traditional territories of the…
Mar 31, 2026
Development Charge Cuts Should Be Focussed on the Most Efficient Housing, not Sprawl
Statement by Phil Pothen, Counsel, and Ontario Environment Program Manager Toronto | Traditional territories of…
Mar 10, 2026
Environmental Defence Available for Comment on Conservation Authorities Changes
Statement By Phil Pothen, Counsel and Ontario Environment Program Manager Toronto | Traditional territories of…
Nov 28, 2025
Ontario Strips Piping Plover Habitat of Protection, Calls for Federal Intervention
Statement By Phil Pothen, Counsel and Ontario Environment Program Manager Toronto | Traditional territories of…
Nov 13, 2025
Ontario Forcing Unpopular Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Selloff Using Budget Bill
Statement By Phil Pothen, Counsel and Ontario Environment Program Manager Toronto | Traditional territories of…
Oct 31, 2025
Ontario’s New Conservation Agency Must Prioritize Environment Over Sprawl
Statement By Phil Pothen, Counsel and Ontario Environment Program Manager Toronto | Traditional territories of…
Oct 23, 2025
Bill 60 Could Jeopardize Transit Expansion and Lower Cost Homes
Statement By Phil Pothen, Ontario Environment Program Manager Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas…
Oct 03, 2025
ON’s Proposed Criteria for Special Economic Zones Leave Powers Dangerously Unchecked
Statement By Phil Pothen, Counsel & Ontario Environment Program Manager Toronto | Traditional territories of…
Jun 05, 2025
Passage of Bill 5 Deals a Grave Blow to the Rule of Law and to Endangered Species
Statement by Phil Pothen, Counsel and Ontario Environment Program Manager Toronto | Traditional territories of…