I find it inconceivable that…

I find it inconceivable that in a time when environmental protection has never been more important for the health of our community and planet that a Bill such as Bill 66 could be proposed. Now more than ever we need our greenspaces to protect our air and water quality. Toxins in are environment are everywhere from the misuse of years past, we need to take action and increase protections that prevent further degradation. Mounting cancer risks present themselves and we can see the effects in our human healthcare systems and also in our ecosystems. The value of the Greenbelt is beyond dollar value, and there are many spaces that can be developed in already existing urban environments. As a Hamilton resident, I can think of many such locations. Employment lands are normally located within an urban or town boundary close to infrastructure that can support businesses such as water, sewers, internet and a good road network. Allowing employment uses (like factories or big box stores) anywhere in the province, as the open for business bylaw would allow, will put a huge burden on municipalities and utilities to provide services and upgrade roads in addition to the potential loss of farmland, and environmental impacts. These services are expensive and building them will cause property tax increases and make it even harder to build public transit.