There should never be a need…

There is no need for this draconian legislation.

There should never be a need to allow a municipality to by-pass public notice or consultation in order to circumvent other legislation. This practically eliminates the opportunity and ability for the average person to participate in decision making about significant changes to the planning decisions, environmental regulation, and other protections in their municipalities and is an affront to an open and democratic society.

That said, consultation or not, there should never be a need to compromise the Clean Water Act. People cannot live without clean water. That should be sufficient reason in and of itself. The Walkerton tragedy is proof positive that Ontario needs, and the people deserve, the kind of protection that the Clean Water Act provides.

Protected farmland is key to food security, particularly in a time when food prices are rising as climate change threatens food supplies around the globe. Agriculture continues to be a significant part of Ontario’s economy and future, especially as we have most of Canada’s best and most productive soils.

Allowing urban sprawl to destroy productive farmland (and farming communities) is an irreversible mistake. Once the houses are planted or the factories are built, they will be the last crop ever planted on that land. Once farmland is gone, it is gone forever. This is foolhardy today, but even more, it will be a real tragedy tomorrow.

The overwhelming majority of people agree that protecting farmland, water supply, and forests against urban sprawl is becoming increasingly important overtime.

The Greenbelt is more than just farmland and fields, trails, wetlands, and river valleys. The Greenbelt provides over $3 billion in natural services which are critical to a sustainable future. In addition to providing habitat for wildlife, the Greenbelt sequesters the carbon equivalent of 27 million cars per year.

Only a small fraction of the lands slated for development in Places to Grow have been developed. There are lots of places business and industry to thrive that are good for the community without invading the Greenbelt.

Decades of experience led to the good planning practices we have today. Experience teaches us that hastily change zoning in ways which are not consistent with a longer term plan is bad for municipalities. There is never a reason to compromise clean water or clean air, to destroy environmentally significant areas, and certainly no reason to do so covertly.

There is no need for this draconian legislation.