I strongly object to…

I strongly object to provisions of Bill 66 that will allow developers and municipal councils to bypass a land use planning framework that has taken decades to put in place, with input and support from all Ontarians.

Bypassing planning laws will enrich developers and their politician friends, and speed up the destruction of the environment. It will not make housing cheaper, instead it will encourage more urban sprawl that will cost all of us in so many ways.

Instead of giving developers a free hand to do whatever makes the most money for them, the government should plan, promote and invest in sustainable densification in growth areas, supported by fully protected green spaces to protect the health of people and the environment.

Ontario is already very competitive, as demonstrated by the fact that people and businesses continue to locate here, and there are actually labour shortages in many sectors. Rather than striving to maximize 'growth' at any cost, we should be working harder to achieve 'quality' growth that improves life and the environment.